Report details economic losses due to bird flu in U.S. dairy cattle

Economic losses from avian influenza in dairy cows could cost farmers just under $1300 per infected animal, according to new research from Cornell University.

The research published by science journal Nature is based on the 60-day period following the clinical diagnosis of highly-pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in an Ohio dairy herd.

Why it matters: Bird flu has already led to devastating losses in the poultry sector and has recently found its way into dairy cattle.

The paper estimates total financial losses based on death, early herd removal and decreased milk production of each infected animal. The results were an estimated loss of $950 USD or just under $1300 CAD per cow, and $737,500 USD or just over $1 million CAD for the herd during the observation period.

Infected cows showed signs of decreasing milk production and lower rumination time. Milk production began dropping five days before diagnosis and reached its lowest point two days after.

Nature recorded losses of around 900 kg of milk per infected cow.

There have been no recorded cases of avian influenza in cattle in Canada. In the U.S., the virus has infected cows in several states across the country.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) added requirements for extra certification for dairy cattle returning from the U.S. in August of last year.

The CFIA is currently working with the Public Health Agency of Canada to monitor Canadian dairy cattle and milk for avian influenza.