bird flu

The first person in the U.S. just died from a strain of the virus in Louisiana, but there’s still some simple ways to stay safe.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now testing the nation’s milk supply for the bird flu virus known as H5N1. The virus has spread through dairy cattle in 16 states, including most of the Mountain West.

When ranchers move cattle across state lines, they must show documentation that their herd has been screened by a veterinarian for potential disease. By the end of the year, the Wyoming Livestock Board will no longer provide paper digital certificates of veterinary inspection, though ones that were previously printed will still be accepted.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a federal order to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The highly contagious disease has been detected in dairy cattle in the U.S.

The cows started experiencing symptoms shortly after the farm received a shipment of cattle from an operation in Texas, where animals later tested positive.

This year’s strain of the bird flu is still killing birds in our region, from poultry to hawks. Officials hope the virus dies out later this summer, but until then, they urge bird owners to use good hygiene practices and to protect the birds from other wild species. To report sick or dead livestock, contact agriculture officials. To report sick or dead wild birds, contact your state wildlife officials.

Health officials detected H5N1 influenza – known as avian flu – in the nose of a 40-year-old man who was culling the chickens in Montrose County as part of a prison pre-release work program.

The first case of avian influenza was confirmed in Wyoming last week. The highly deadly disease was found in Johnson County in a non-poultry backyard flock. Since then it has also been confirmed in Park County. A raptor program in Cody is taking precautions so their 12 birds don't get infected.

A Canada goose found near Cheyenne has bird flu.The strain of the disease is H5N2 and is highly contagious among birds. But so far this version of avian…