Since February 2022, the United States has been dealing with a severe outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial and backyard bird flocks.
In a series of videos, Dr. Kim Dodd, the director of the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, explains how the current outbreak began and what makes it unique.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture shared the first update regarding the detection of HPAI in dairy cattle on March 25, 2024. The testing was performed as part of an active investigation into illnesses reported in multiple herds in several states.
At this time, it is believed the cattle were most likely exposed to the virus by infected wild birds. Dr. Dodd explains the impact of HPAI on dairy cattle and how it could impact our farms.
Following the HPAI dairy cattle outbreak, the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has been working nonstop on the testing and research of HPAI samples. Take a look inside the Laboratory to see how they’re working to prevent the spread of HPAI.