Penn State University is taking proactive steps in an effort to ensure the health and safety of its dairy herd. Though their cows are currently asymptomatic, the College of Agricultural Sciences announced a plan to test its livestock for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This action comes in the wake of outbreaks affecting dairy cattle in numerous states since March, although Pennsylvania has not yet reported any cases.
Ernest Hovingh, an extension veterinarian and clinical professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences at Penn State, emphasized the testing program's goal of providing essential data on the herd's health status. "The state herd monitoring program calls for conducting a weekly test of milk from a farm for three weeks," he said. "If all tests are negative and no clinical signs of the disease are observed, the herd is considered 'unaffected.' At that point, weekly testing would continue, to ensure that the herd remains free of the virus."
As of now, Penn State has not moved its dairy cows across state lines, hence their herd hasn't been subjected to such tests previously. However, participating in this voluntary program not only potentially ensures their herd is HPAI-free but also contributes data to state and national surveillance efforts.
The concern over HPAI is tangible, given the virus's spread across various states. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's voluntary Lactating Dairy Cow Health Monitoring Program encourages all state dairy farms to participate to detect HPAI swiftly if it emerges. Jacob Werner, attending veterinarian at Penn State who oversees the university's livestock health, reassured that they have observed no signs of the virus in their herd. "We have a biosecurity plan in place to minimize the chances of bringing any diseases, including HPAI, into our herd, and we screen for sick cows regularly and consistently," Werner said. He added that typically, drops in feed intake and milk production are telltale signs, which they monitor closely.
The college's decision to test also comes with assurances about milk safety. Ernest Hovingh highlighted that "milk from sick cows does not leave the dairy and, therefore, does not enter the food supply." Furthermore, all milk from Penn State cows undergoes pasteurization before being sold, which effectively kills pathogens like avian flu viruses. The USDA and the FDA have consistently stated that pasteurized milk and milk products are safe for human consumption.
Looking ahead, Penn State will announce the HPAI status of its herd after the completion of the initial series of three tests. As the state and agricultural communities watch closely, Penn State's efforts reflect a broader commitment to public health and agricultural safety. Even in the hypothetical situation where a positive case is detected, Hovingh assured swift action in collaboration with state officials to investigate and address any findings.
While the likelihood of finding HPAI within Penn State's dairy cows remains slim, their proactive measures underscore an essential part of disease monitoring and control in agriculture. This initiative not only provides reassurance to the university and broader community but also supports larger efforts in maintaining the safety and integrity of the food supply.
