North Carolina Dairy Cow Tests Positive for Avian Flu

Apr 12, 2024

By April Laissle

Avian influenza has been detected in a North Carolina dairy herd. It’s the first time the virus has impacted the state’s livestock.

Until this week, the disease, also known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), had been found in cattle in just six states: Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Idaho, New Mexico, and Ohio.

North Carolina joined the list after a dairy cow that had been moved to the state from one of the impacted herds in Texas tested positive for the disease.

Heather Overton with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services says the state is now taking steps to contain the virus.

“North Carolina has spent years developing how to handle HPAI and poultry," said Overton. "This is new, and we're working with our state and federal partners to develop protocols.”

Avian flu outbreaks were reported at nine North Carolina poultry farms in 2022. This year, the disease was detected at two turkey farms in the state.

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Video: Research in Action | Swine Cluster 4 - Activity 8: Precision Feeding with Dr. Aline Remus

Research in Action is a video series from Swine Innovation Porc that highlights the people and projects driving innovation in Canada's pork sector.

In this episode, Dr. Aline Remus (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) explains how precision feeding is helping producers improve efficiency, reduce feed costs and lower environmental impacts while supporting animal health and welfare.

As part of Swine Cluster 4 - Activity 8, this research is advancing precision livestock farming by tailoring nutrition to the needs of individual pigs or groups of pigs. The project aims to reduce feed costs, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient losses, and develop practical precision feeding systems that producers can confidently adopt on-farm.

By bringing together researchers from across Canada and around the world, this work is helping transform innovative research into practical solutions for a more sustainable and competitive Canadian pork sector.