(NewsNation) — Bird flu has been detected in cows in Kansas and Texas, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The highly contagious pathogenic avian influenza virus was found in samples of unpasteurized milk when officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug and Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were investigating an illness affecting older dairy cows in those states as well as New Mexico.
The USDA said wild birds are likely the source of the infection. It’s the first time HPAI has been detected in cows in the U.S. and potentially in the world, though it has been found in other mammals, including foxes, polar bears, skunks and raccoons.
A week before the virus was detected in cows, it was also detected in goats for the first time, suggesting it has made the jump to ruminants.
When domestic birds are infected, whole flocks may have to be culled to prevent the spread. The cows, however, are expected to recover within a few weeks.
Authorities said there is no evidence the virus has mutated in a way that would make it easier to spread to humans. While there have been human cases of bird flu, transmission from animals to people is relatively rare. There have been no documented cases of human bird flu contracted from nonhuman mammals in the U.S.
Symptoms of bird flu in people can range from minor symptoms like fever to major complications like pneumonia that can require hospitalization.
Consuming raw milk, which is legal in some states, comes with a serious risk of contracting illnesses and is not advised.
There is little danger of the virus entering the food supply as only milk from healthy animals is allowed, and pasteurization will inactivate bacteria and viruses. Still, dairy farmers are being advised to monitor herds for signs of illness, including decreased appetite and lower milk production.