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Keeping an eye out for livestock diseases this winter

A veterinarian with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health says livestock producers should monitor and understand the threat of avian influenza this winter.

Dr. Kelli Werling says the number of H5N1 cases reported in the U.S. has steadily increased.

“Keeping an eye on the national situation, especially with dairy cattle, and then of course with that new diagnosis in in swine,” she says. “We want to make sure that we’re monitoring so that if occurs or if it continues to spread in those species, we’re catching it and are able to then respond.”

She tells Brownfield the detection of the virus in swine has prompted more testing.

“I think in the future we’re going to see some additional testing here in Indiana and I think you’re going to see it across the nation and other states too,” she says. “Certainly some states have already voluntarily started state based inspection programs.”

Werling says there is currently no threat to the pork supply, but producers should continue to monitor their livestock for any indication of transmission.