Eight States Now Reporting 'Bird Flu' in Cattle

LITTLE ROCK - As highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is detected in cattle in a growing number of states, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture has issued an order restricting livestock exhibiting symptoms or testing positive for the virus from entering the state.Pathogenic avaian influenza is considered a major threat to commercial poultry production in the U.S. Commercial poultry is a nearly $127 million industry in Cleveland County while cattle and calves is a nearly $1.6 million industry for the county, according to a 2017 agriculture profile of the county published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).Dustan Clark, extension poultry health veterinarian for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said Arkansas has seen no reports of cattle infected with the virus within its borders. Additionally, there have been no reports of bird flu in Arkansas commercial poultry production facilities or backyard "hobby flocks" since December 2023."So far, we're doing quite well," Clark said. "I won't say we're safe. We need everyone to maintain good biosecurity practices." Clark is also the associate director of the Division of Agriculture's Poultry Center.Per an April 5 letter from Arkansas State Veterinarian John Nilz: No dairy cattle exhibiting symptoms of or testing positive for HPAI shall be allowed to move into Arkansas.No dairy cattle from states with impacted herds shall be allowed to move into Arkansas.Livestock moving into Arkansas found to be in non-compliance with this order shall be quarantined to the nearest facility until all requirements are met on said animals to meet specifications."This is still an unfolding issue," Clark said. As of April 15, USDA's Animal and Plant Inspection Service reported confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle in eight states, including neighboring Texas. Other states with confirmed cases of bird flu in cattle included Idaho, New Mexico, South Dakota, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio and…