US Dairy Farmers Enforce Visitor Bans and Tree Removals Amid Bird Flu Outbreak

US dairy farmers implement visitor bans to prevent the bird flu virus. This strategy helps control disease transmission. Moreover, by limiting access to outsiders, farmers aim to minimize the risk of contamination. This precaution helps prevent the spread of the virus. Additionally, visitor bans help control the movement of people in and out of the farm, reducing the risk of spreading the disease to neighboring farms or regions.

Reuters spoke to seven dairy farmers in five states who said they are reinforcing safety and cleaning procedures, with three producers exceeding government recommendations.

“Think of our farm now as a gated community for cows,” said karen Jordan, who raises about 200 dairy cattle in Siler City, North Carolina. “Only the most essential person can get past the gate.”

Additionally, dairy farmers are proactively removing trees to eliminate potential roosting sites for wild birds. This action aims to reduce the risk of bird flu transmission. Trees near dairy facilities offer convenient perches for wild birds, thereby increasing the risk of virus transmission. Consequently, dairy farmers are removing trees to mitigate this risk. Farmers aim to make the environment less hospitable for wild birds and reduce disease transmission risk to livestock by removing trees. The dairy industry’s efforts highlight its commitment to biosecurity and disease prevention amid emerging health threats like bird flu.
read more
image source