Wyoming has identified its first case of bird flu in dairy cows, marking an expansion of the outbreak now affecting 12 states across the country. The case was detected through samples received by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, with confirmation provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory.
According to Hallie Hasel, Wyoming’s state veterinarian, the primary concern among dairy farmers is the potential impact on milk production due to illness among cows. This concern is echoed in Iowa, which also recently reported its initial cases of bird flu in dairy cattle. Officials in Iowa are advocating for USDA assistance to compensate farmers for losses in milk production or the costs associated with culling affected cows.
