Welcome to the 2024 Kansas State Fair Birthing Center presented by Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding HPAI and Cattle
- What is HPAI?
- High Pathogen Avian Influenza (HPAI), is caused by the influenza virus H5N1. This is an infection that most commonly occurs in birds. In 2024 HPAI infection was identified in some dairy cattle herds in the United States. Since that time, testing has continued when risk and findings suggest that disease might be present.
- Full information regarding the identification of HPAI in cattle can be found through the American Veterinary Medical Association website https://www.avma.org/news/diligent-detective-work-leads-discovery-hpai-dairy-cattle
- Additional information can be found through the CDC reporting site https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/mammals.html
- What is the relationship between HPAI and cattle?
- While rare, mammals can be infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) ("H5N1 bird flu") viruses. Reports of these sporadic infections in mammals have occurred globally amid widespread outbreaks of bird flu infections in wild birds and poultry.
- Mammals can be infected with H5N1 bird flu viruses when they eat infected birds, poultry, or other animals and/or if they are exposed to environments contaminated with virus. Spread of H5N1 bird flu viruses from mammal to mammal is thought to be rare, but possible.
- In 2024 there have been cattle infected with H5N1 in select situations
Current H5N1 Bird Flu Situation in Dairy Cows | Bird Flu | CDC
- Can HPAI cause problems in people that work with cattle?
- It is uncommon for problems to occur, but using precautions are appropriate in high risk situations, good hygiene and preventative strategies when appropriate help people stay healthy.
- CDC guidelines https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/worker-protection-ppe.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h5/worker-protection-ppe.htm
- Is there any concern for interacting with the cattle at the 2024 State Fair?
- Cows that come to the Kansas State Fair Birthing Center come from recently tested negative herds.
- Continued monitoring is ongoing in the state of Kansas and the fair animals are carefully monitored by the Kansas Department of Agriculture veterinarians