TEXAS — Cows in the Texas panhandle tested positive for bird flu last month after thousands of livestock were killed in historic wildfires.

What You Need To Know

  • Bird flu struck about 40% of dairy cows in the Panhandle, where 82% of the state’s milk is produced
  • Experts say farmers should take certain biosecurity measures to protect their livestock from future cases
  • More than 1 million chickens were killed to prevent bird flu from spreading. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller says they are easy to replace
  • One human contracted bird flu and experienced symptoms similar to pink eye. Experts say others aren’t at risk of being infected

The disease struck about 40% of dairy cows in the Panhandle, where 82% of the state’s milk is produced. Infected cows have stopped producing milk.

“The trick is, how do we return them back to their previous state of milk production?” said Darren Turley with the Association of Dairymen.

He says infected cows receive probiotics and electrolytes, but once a cow is no longer infected, it doesn’t always immediately resume milk production.

“If we have a cow that's not pregnant, and not giving any milk, it's very, very hard for us to make that work to keep that animal to pay for that animal,” Turley said.

Experts say farmers should take certain biosecurity measures to protect their livestock from future cases.

“Clean and disinfect those trucks coming on to your place. And the workers, too. If you have coveralls on at one dairy and that you’re not taking to other dairies, that would be of significant concern. And then if you’re a worker and dealing with sick cattle that they’re using personal protective equipment to ensure their safety as well,” said Dr. Brian Bohl, TAHC director of field operations.

Also in West Texas, more 1 million chickens were killed to prevent bird flu from spreading. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller says they are easy to replace.

“We can have a new chicken hatched in 28 days. It doesn’t take that long. And that hen will be producing in less than six months from now. So once we get the birds disposed of, the house cleaned up, it'll be ready to restock and be back in business, you know, three to five months,” said Miller.

Miller says dairy and egg prices aren’t expected to increase and that the quality of the products is the same.

“We pasteurized most of the milk,” he said. “The only way you could get it is if [you're] drinking raw milk or unpasteurized dairy products. So if you want to be on the safe side, you might hold off on that for a while.”

One human contracted bird flu and experienced symptoms similar to pink eye. Experts say others aren’t at risk of being infected.