Spread of virus grows as 233 Central Valley dairies hit
USDA says California poultry ranches have lost over 1.5 million birds to avian flu in the past few weeks with most of those in the Central Valley.The economic impact of the virus is now grown to include 233 area dairies along with what seems to be almost a daily increase in illness reported at poultry farms and nationwide at egg ranches.
In Kings County three commercial broiler farms were hit on October 30 and 31 with the unnamed ranches losing 104,500 ,305,500 and 117,200 birds killed to stop the spread of the highly contagious virus USDA announced yesterday.
Also on October 30 a commercial broiler operation in Fresno County was hit requiring the destruction of 204,600 birds.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported that on October 24, HPAI had been confirmed in a flock of 6,000 commercial broilers in Tulare County. That followed another situation when the virus was confirmed in a flock of 786,600 commercial broilers near Springville in Tulare County on October 16.
Then on November 4 USDA said a 48,00 bird turkey operation in Sacramento was hit just as Thanksgiving is approaching.
Poultry industry losses in the Central Valley from the fast spreading virus are mirroring economic losses in the dairy sector here.
The number of affected diaries in the Central Valley has grown by 30 from October 31 to Nov 4 from 202 to 233.
The number of affected diaries in the Central Valley has grown by 30 from October 31 to November 4 to 233.
The November 3 Milk Producers Council newsletter offers this sober assessment.
Especially devastating impact on milk production
“The bird flu is ravaging dairy herds in California’s Central Valley, home to about 16% of U.S. milk output. While the illness has hampered herd health and milk production on farms in other states, the impact in California has been especially devastating. By most accounts, milk production has fallen harder and cows have suffered more than infected cows elsewhere. That may be because avian
influenza is infecting California cows that have already struggled through a very hot summer or because this is a particularly virulent strain. Whatever the cause, milk output is down noticeably in the nation’s top dairy state after holding firm in September.”
Pasteurized milk kills the virus and milk is safe to drink.
As of November 1, 2024, CDPH has confirmed nineteen (19) human cases of bird flu and 1 additional probable case. Symptoms are said to be mild and officials note that the current risk to the general public remains low.
The avian flu is spread by migratory birds.