Avian flu has been discovered in dairy cattle in the U.S., according to the USDA, but health officials are saying pasteurized dairy products remain safe to consume.
The disease was identified in herds in Texas and Kansas. There are currently no reports of any cattle in South Dakota with bird flu.
However, state veterinarian Beth Thompson said that doesn’t mean the state is free of bird flu.
“These migratory waterfowl and other bird species are carrying this virus," Thompson said. "The virus is very deadly to our domestic poultry, and I believe the number here in South Dakota of commercial facilities that have been affected has risen to 100 or thereabout, so very significant to our poultry farmers.”
Thompson said it’s rare, but not unheard of, for the disease to jump from one species to another.
“It’s really not common for avian influenza to either jump to another species, especially if we’re talking about having that species pass it on within itself,” Thompson said.
While there isn’t too much detail about the current outbreak, Thompson wants consumers to know their milk is safe – so long as it’s not raw.
“Pasteurization takes care of the virus," Thompson said. "Routine pasteurization has been around since the 1920s. Prior to pasteurization people were getting sick and dying of TB. The pasteurization process is very important, it provides us with safe milk and dairy products.”
Thompson says concerned consumers or ranchers should stay up to date with the USDA as the outbreak continues.