Dairy cows on farms in Texas and Kansas have examined constructive for hen flu within the first recognized circumstances in cows within the U.S., and certain the world. Cows in New Mexico are additionally thought to have been contaminated, however they haven’t but been examined.Three weeks in the past, the cows turned sick with a cold-like sickness, The Related Press reported. The animals have been producing much less milk than normal, their appetites decreased and so they appeared torpid. Unpasteurized milk samples and throat and nostril swabs confirmed that the cows have been contaminated with the H5N1 pressure of extremely pathogenic avian influenza, the Texas Animal Well being Fee introduced Tuesday (March 26). This pressure is thought to trigger outbreaks in wild and domesticated birds and to often infect individuals. The announcement comes per week after the primary U.S. circumstances of hen flu in goats (Capra hircus) have been reported. The goats have been sharing a pasture and water supply with geese and chickens that have been contaminated with hen flu on a yard farm in Stevens County, Minnesota, in accordance with a report by the World Organisation for Animal Well being.The unfold of hen flu to goats “highlights the potential of the virus infecting different animals on farms with a number of species,” Brian Hoefs, the Minnesota state veterinarian and govt director of the Minnesota Board of Animal Well being, mentioned in an announcement launched March 20.Associated: Hen flu wipes out over 95% of southern elephant seal pups in ‘catastrophic’ mass deathBased on the brand new outcomes from Texas, officers assume the dairy cows have been possible contaminated by wild birds. The checks didn’t detect any adjustments to the hen flu virus that will make it extra transmissible to people, the AP reported.Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.In outbreaks of hen flu in poultry, officers have needed to cull complete flocks to manage the unfold of the virus. In contrast, the cows that examined constructive for hen flu appeared to get well with out therapy inside seven to 10 days, consultants informed the AP. The virus contaminated about 10% of lactating dairy cows within the affected herds. As such, the state of affairs “would not look something just like the high-path influenza in hen flocks,” Michael Payne, a meals animal veterinarian and biosecurity knowledgeable on the College of California, Davis, informed the information company. Solely milk from wholesome animals on the affected dairy farms will enter the meals provide. The U.S. Division of Agriculture considers the chance to individuals low and famous in an announcement that pasteurization, which is required for milk bought by way of interstate commerce, kills viruses and micro organism. To date, H5N1 hen flu has been reported in 48 mammal species, together with foxes, skunks, raccoons, seals and polar bears. “It was in all probability solely a matter of time earlier than avian influenza made its option to ruminants,” which embrace hooved, cud-chewing mammals like cattle, goats and sheep, Payne mentioned.There are not any reported circumstances of hen flu being transmitted from nonhuman mammals to people within the U.S. up to now, in accordance with the Minnesota Board of Animal Well being. There have been uncommon circumstances of the an infection spreading from birds to individuals. Any danger of an infection is proscribed to individuals who have direct contact with contaminated animals, consultants informed the AP.Ever surprise why some individuals construct muscle extra simply than others or why freckles come out within the solar? Ship us your questions on how the human physique works to neighborhood@livescience.com with the topic line “Well being Desk Q,” and you might even see your query answered on the web site!