By Andi Anderson
Recent updates regarding Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) provide reassurance about the safety of the commercial milk supply and offer valuable resources for dairy farmers in Ohio.
FDA's latest preliminary results of egg inoculation tests confirm the effectiveness of pasteurization in inactivating HPAI. Further testing detected no live, infectious virus, reaffirming FDA's assessment of the safety of the commercial milk supply. For more details, refer to FDA's full statement.
Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is actively working to implement USDA's Federal Order aimed at limiting the spread of HPAI in dairy cattle. To provide Ohio dairy farmers with up-to-date information, ODA has created a dedicated web page containing essential resources, including informative fact sheets. Specific Ohio requirements to comply with the Federal Order will be available on ODA's website starting Monday. In the meantime, dairy farmers should follow standard procedures for cull dairy cows moving to slaughter.
The OSU College of Veterinary Medicine recently hosted a webinar emphasizing the importance of biosecurity practices in mitigating the risk of HPAI on dairy farms. The webinar covers various topics, including the significance of H5N1 influenza in the dairy industry, understanding disease transmission, practical implementation of biosecurity measures on farms, initiating biosecurity plans, transportation updates, and a Q&A session.
The webinar recording is accessible in its entirety or in segmented parts on OSU's website. Additionally, OSU Dairy Extension offers additional biosecurity resources and information.
For ongoing updates and relevant information, national and local dairy associations are committed to keeping dairy farmers informed. For inquiries or assistance, please contact Jenny Crabtree at 614-890-1800.
Photo Credit: Ohio Department of Agriculture
Categories: Ohio, Livestock, Poultry