A extremely virulent hen flu first detected in dairy cows in Texas and Kansas this week has unfold to extra herds, bringing the variety of affected states to 6 and including proof the virus could also be spreading cow-to-cow. The pressure has been confirmed in Michigan, and presumptive optimistic assessments have been reported from Idaho, New Mexico and Ohio, federal officers stated Friday.The presence of the extremely pathogenic avian influenza — generally referred to as HPAI — has been confirmed in a Michigan dairy herd that not too long ago acquired cows from Texas, based on an announcement Friday from the U.S. Division of Agriculture.The virus pressure present in Michigan is much like a pressure confirmed in Texas and Kansas that seems to have been launched by wild birds, the USDA assertion stated.“Unfold of signs among the many Michigan herd additionally signifies that HPAI transmission between cattle can’t be dominated out,” based on the USDA assertion.Preliminary testing has not recognized modifications to the virus that may make it extra transmissible to people, based on the USDA.“Whereas instances amongst people in direct contact with contaminated animals are doable, this means that the present threat to the general public stays low,” the company assertion stated.Idaho officers introduced Thursday that avian flu was detected at a dairy cattle farm in Cassia County after the ability not too long ago imported livestock from one other state that had recognized HPAI in cows. It didn’t present particulars.However in an interview, state veterinarian Scott Leibsle stated avian flu was detected within the Idaho cattle after the farm imported cows from a Texas herd that had proven signs of HPAI.“Cow-to-cow transmission is certainly taking part in a task in how this illness progresses. To what extent, we don’t know but,” Leibsle stated. It’s clear that contaminated wild birds unfold the illness to herds in Texas and Kansas, he stated. “However the herd of cattle that got here up from Texas to Idaho, the birds didn’t observe,” the state veterinarian stated.Federal officers are monitoring carefully and have suggested veterinarians and producers to apply good biosecurity, take a look at animals in the event that they must be moved, reduce animal actions and isolate sick cattle from the herd.The USDA, Meals and Drug Administration, and Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention are investigating the sickness amongst dairy cows, which is inflicting decreased milk manufacturing, low urge for food and different signs.Federal officers are additionally working with state and native public well being officers to observe for indicators of ailments amongst folks on the services the place hen flu was detected.Most contaminated animals have recovered after isolation, and few cattle deaths have been reported, the USDA stated.Idaho’s Leibsle stated “not all dairy producers will need to wait one two three weeks” for dairy cows to get better. Some producers could determine to ship the animals to slaughter as beef animals, he stated. All these cattle will endure the identical rigorous meals security protocols.The USDA assertion stated there continues to be “no concern concerning the security of the business milk provide as a result of merchandise are pasteurized earlier than getting into the market, or that this circumstance poses a threat to shopper well being.”Dairies are required to ship milk solely from wholesome animals into processing for human consumption. Milk from contaminated animals is being diverted or destroyed in order that it doesn’t enter the human meals provide, USDA stated.As well as, pasteurization, which is required for milk getting into interstate commerce for human consumption, inactivates micro organism and viruses, together with influenza, in milk.Officers have lengthy cautioned shoppers to keep away from uncooked or unpasteurized milk. FDA’s long-standing place is that unpasteurized milk can harbor harmful microorganisms posing severe well being dangers to shoppers.Due to the restricted info out there concerning the transmission of HPAI in uncooked milk, the FDA recommends that the dairy trade not manufacture or promote uncooked milk or unpasteurized cheese merchandise made with milk from cows exhibiting signs of sickness, together with these contaminated with avian influenza or herds uncovered to cows contaminated with the virus.