A Meat and Dairy Article from All-Creatures.org

The American Association of Bovine Practitioners Rename HPAI in Cows to Bovine Influenza A Virus (BIAV)

From OurHonor.org
April 2024

This virus has been found in 40% of dairy cows in the panhandle of Texas, where 82% of the state’s milk is produced. Experts are saying farmers will need to follow through with proper biosecurity measures to help prevent the spread to other dairy farms.

The American Association of Bovine Practitioners recently sent emails urging the media to stop referring to avian influenza infections in cattle as highly pathogenic avian influenza, saying they do “not believe that this disease should be referenced as ‘HPAI in cattle’ or ‘bird flu in cattle.’”

Instead, they state, “the AABP will call this disease Bovine Influenza A Virus (BIAV) in our messaging and resources regarding this disease syndrome in cattle. We encourage other organizations, state animal health officials, diagnostic labs, and state and federal agencies to use this name so that we can be consistent with our messaging and better distinguish the disease syndrome in cattle from the pathogenesis observed in birds. We believe it is important for the public to understand the difference to maintain confidence in the safety and accessibility of beef and dairy products for consumers.”

Veterinarians should be prioritizing the best interest of animals, public health and transparency, “maintaining consumer confidence” is not part of our oath.

This virus has been found in 40% of dairy cows in the panhandle of Texas, where 82% of the state’s milk is produced. Experts are saying farmers will need to follow through with proper biosecurity measures to help prevent the spread to other dairy farms.

---

Return to Meat and Dairy Articles
Read more at Egg Production Articles