Reuters claims that United States underreporting H5N1 avian flu cases in dairy cows and other data!

H5N1 News: A recent report by Reuters has unveiled a significant underreporting of bird flu cases in U.S. dairy cattle, with implications that could extend far beyond the agricultural sector. This H5N1 News report highlights concerns raised by experts from the University of Minnesota, Michigan State University, and the University of Colorado, among others, who believe that the actual number of infected herds is much higher than what official figures suggest, and it also delves into the reasons behind this underreporting, the potential human health risks, and the measures being taken to address this growing issue.


Reuters claims that United States underreporting H5N1 avian flu cases in dairy cows and other data

The Silent Spread: A Crisis in the Making
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported bird flu cases in approximately 190 dairy herds across 13 states since March. However, the true extent of the outbreak is likely much larger. Experts point to a widespread reluctance among farmers to test their animals, fearing the economic repercussions of a positive result. Joe Armstrong, a veterinarian and cattle expert from the University of Minnesota, notes that the number of cases in Minnesota alone could be three to five times higher than the reported figures.
 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also reported 13 cases of bird flu in dairy and poultry farm workers this year. This concerning statistic underscores the potential for the virus to spread among humans, a scenario that could have severe public health consequences.
 
However, as many workers in dairy farms across the United States are undocumented migrants and there is very little no testing being done at most farms, the number of individuals infected can also be much higher than is being reported.
 
Why Farmers Are Hesitant to Test
The reluctance to test for bird flu is primarily driven by economic concerns. Farmers fear that a positive test could lead to their herds being quarantined, preventing them from selling their milk or cattle for weeks. The virus, known to reduce milk production in cattle, poses a significant threat to the dairy industry, which is a crucial part of the U.S. agricultural economy.
Despite USDA efforts to encourage testing = such as requiring negative tests for cows being transported across state lines and offering a voluntary weekly testing program for farmers' milk supplies - participation remains low. Currently, only 24 dairy herds are participating in the program out of roughly 24,000 farms that sell milk nationwide. The limited participation further complicates efforts to track and contain the virus.
 
The Economic Dilemma
Farmers' reluctance to test is not without reason. As Colorado farmer Terry Dye, 78, shared, his dairies were infected this summer, but he chose not to notify the state, preferring to handle the situation privately. State agriculture officials eventually discovered the infections and quarantined his animals. Dye's situat ion is not unique; other farmers have expressed similar sentiments, citing distrust in government officials and skepticism about the severity of the bird flu threat.
 
Phil Durst from Michigan State University estimates that Michigan’s 27 reported cases could be undercounted by at least a third. Similarly, Jenna Guthmiller from the University of Colorado suggests that the state's 63 positive herds are also likely underreported. The reluctance to test is exacerbated by the fact that government incentives do not fully offset the financial losses farmers expect to incur from a positive test result.
 
Inactive Bird Flu Virus in the Dairy Supply
Adding to the complexity of the situation is a recent survey by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which found inactive bird flu virus in 17% of dairy products sampled from U.S. retail stores. While none of the 167 samples tested contained viable H5N1 bird flu virus, the presence of inactive viral particles raises questions about the broader implications for public health.
 
The H5N1 particles were found in milk, ice cream, hard cheese, butter, cream cheese and aged raw milk cheese among many other products.
 
The FDA has assured consumers that pasteurized dairy products remain safe to consume, but the findings highlight the pervasive nature of the virus and the challenges in fully eradicating it from the food supply.
 
Expanding Testing Efforts
In response to the ongoing outbreak, the USDA has announced plans to expand bird flu testing of beef entering the food supply. The expanded testing, set to begin in mid-September, will focus on beef from dairy cows and continue through the rest of the year. USDA officials, including Emilio Esteban, the agency's undersecretary for food safety, have urged livestock workers to remain vigilant.

The expanded testing is seen as a crucial step in addressing the underreporting issue and preventing further spread of the virus. However, experts argue that more aggressive measures may be necessary, such as mandating raw-milk testing in more states and offering higher compensation to farmers to encourage participation in testing programs.
 
Challenges in Tracking the Virus
Despite the USDA's efforts, tracking the virus remains a significant challenge. In some states, such as Michigan and Colorado, more aggressive approaches have been taken to contain the virus, yet experts still believe that cases are being missed. In Colorado, for instance, a new requirement for dairy farms to test bulk milk supplies weekly has uncovered additional infected herds, leading to quarantines.
 
However, the situation remains dire in states with few or no reported cases. Farmers and veterinarians fear that when the virus eventually arrives or resurges, they will be ill-equipped to track and contain it. As Mark Hardesty, a dairy cattle veterinarian in Ohio, put it, "The longstanding adage is that the cure for fever is don't take a temperature. So, if we don't test, then we're not positive."
 
Conclusion: A Call for Action
The underreporting of bird flu cases in U.S. dairy cattle is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. The reluctance of farmers to test their herds, driven by economic concerns and distrust in government information, is hindering efforts to contain the virus and prevent its spread to humans. The USDA's expanded testing efforts are a step in the right direction, but more must be done to ensure that all potential cases are identified and addressed.
 
The Reuters report can be found here:
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-undercounts-bird-flu-cattle-farmers-shun-testing-2024-08-15/
 
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