Missouri’s state veterinarian says not every dairy state has confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in cattle and farmers should be implementing stricter biosecurity to prevent any spread of the virus.
Dr. Steve Strubberg says biosecurity on a dairy farm looks different than a poultry farm.
“Especially when you’re talking about the incursion from wild birds. Most poultry barns don’t allow wild birds into those facilities, but when cattle are on pasture or in large barns, it’s hard to keep birds out.”
He says to limit the spread of HPAI in dairy cattle, farmers should provide fresh, clean bedding to cattle, rotate new grazing pastures each day and follow proper milking procedures.
