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Arizona cattle, milk test positive for bird flu • Arizona Mirror [1]
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Date: 2025-02
The Arizona Department of Agriculture announced Friday that bird flu had been detected in milk produced by dairy cows in Arizona.
Arizona is one of approximately 12 states that have had confirmed cases of avian flu that are being monitored by federal, state and local health officials. There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus in Arizona or anywhere else and risk to the public is considered low.
In a press release Friday, the Agriculture Department announced that a dairy herd in Maricopa County has been put under quarantine after the virus was detected in milk they produced. None of the cattle in the herd have displayed symptoms, they said.
Transmission of the virus from cattle or birds to humans is low, though people who interact with cattle are at a higher risk. A recently released federal study found that bird flu infections of veterinarians appear to have been underreported and gone undetected.
The virus is often fatal to birds and some other animals. It was recently reported that five animals at the World Wildlife Zoo and Aquarium in Litchfield Park died after being exposed to the virus.
Other cases reported in Arizona include geese at a park in Scottsdale and two workers at a poultry farm in Pinal County who contracted the virus from birds at the farm but fully recovered. Other cases have been reported at a wastewater plant in Flagstaff and a backyard poultry flock in Maricopa County.
Health officials have been advising people to avoid raw milk, where the virus has been found. Raw milk has become a fad among conservatives. Right-wing influencers, including Phoenix-based Turning Point USA, have promoted debunked misconceptions around the health benefits of raw milk.
The virus was detected in the dairy farm due to testing that has been taking place since January. The AZDA said that every dairy farm in Arizona has “been tested at least once” this year.
Domestic and wild animals are at risk of infection from the virus, with backyard flocks being especially susceptible.
Cats, dogs and dairy cattle can all contract the virus, and humans can become infected after being exposed to an infected animal.
Those with backyard flocks or pet birds should look out for symptoms such as low energy or appetite, purple discoloration or swelling of various body parts, reduced egg production or misshapen eggs, coughing, sneezing and lack of coordination.
People with cats and dogs should look for fever, lethargy, low appetite, reddened or inflamed eyes, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, seizures or sudden blindness. Veterinarians recommend avoiding giving your pet raw milk and making sure they have not eaten a dead bird or any other animal.
In humans, the virus can cause mild to severe upper respiratory symptoms, multi-organ failure and death.
The current strain, called Eurasian H5N1, has proved to be deadly for wild birds, killing bald eagles, great horned owls, Canadian geese, snow geese and other wild birds. The virus has been detected in over 150 wild birds in Arizona, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
You can report sick wild birds by calling the Arizona Game and Fish Department at 623-236-7201 and if you need to report a sick domestic bird contact the Arizona Department of Agriculture at 602-542-4293.
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