Here’s what we knew as of March 22, 2024

By Sherry Bunting, Farmshine, March 22, 2024

AMARILLO, Tex. — The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and USDA — in coordination with industry and veterinary medical partners — are investigating emerging cases of illness in mid-lactation dairy cows in the Texas Panhandle of as-yet undetermined cause and transmission. 

The TAHC circulated a letter March 16 to veterinarians and dairy producers concerning the emerging animal health situation in dairy cattle that is at this point limited to an undetermined number of dairies in the Texas Panhandle. No reported cases outside of the Texas Panhandle are confirmed at this time. 

A TAHC spokesperson told Farmshine Tuesday in a phone interview (March 19) they are not ready to put out a media statement, but in the interest of full transparency, would brief on what is known and being done at this time. 

“We are aware of an animal health situation affecting dairy cattle and are working with USDA and Texas A&M with Dr. Alexis Thompson at the Diagnostic Lab — and with dairy veterinarians, the industry, and other partners — to coordinate an efficient plan to monitor and evaluate affected cattle, and to develop a case definition and conduct additional diagnostics,” the TAHC spokesperson said.

In response to questions, she noted that the Texas State Veterinarian is in contact with counterparts in other states as part of this coordinated effort.

“Right now, our main message is for dairies to conduct standard biosecurity measures, and if they have enhanced biosecurity plans in place, now is a good time to implement those,” the TAHC spokesperson said. She could not say how many herds or what percentage of those herds are affected.

According to the TAHC letter to veterinarians and dairy producers, the clinical signs include decreased herd level milk production; a sudden drop in production with some severely impacted cows experiencing changes in milk appearance (thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like). Affected cows also experience a decline in feed consumption with a simultaneous drop in rumen motility, abnormal tacky or loose feces, and some fever.

“Impacted herds have reported older cows in mid-lactation may be more likely to be severely impacted than younger cows and fresh cows or heifers. Dry cows and heifers do not appear to be affected,” the letter stated. 

The TAHC spokesperson did confirm that death loss from this condition is low.

In other industry correspondence, Farmshine has learned that while cattle recover, not all affected cattle recover their milk production, which has led to some increased culling in the face of high feed costs and high prices paid for market cows for beef. 

Even though this is an emerging situation, not a regulated disease, the TAHC spokesperson observed: “There are no milk and meat concerns at this time,” due to both the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and the Federal Meat Inspection Act that together ensure safe and wholesome milk and meat products enter the food chain.

The PMO dictates best practice to divert from the saleable milk supply any milk that is abnormal in appearance. 

Additionally, the Federal Meat Inspection Act requires ante- and post-mortem examination of every animal presented for slaughter. 

The TAHC encourages veterinary practitioners to report affected animals, by calling Dr. Alexis Thompson with Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) (806.651.7478) concerning questions related to case-specific diagnostic plans. Dr. Thompson can provide specific guidance on sample collection as data-driven diagnostics are key to evaluation and understanding transmission and prevention.

As this work is being done, dairy producers are advised to review biosecurity protocols for their farms, take note of declines in production, appetite and rumination, and contact their veterinarians if such are noted.

(Author’s note: The Texas Animal Health Commission, USDA, TVMDL, industry, and veterinary medical practitioners are working on this as they are committed to animal health and well being as well as food safety — and while this is happening, systems are already in place that make the U.S. food supply the safest in the world.)

To be continued

-30-