Local farms take precautions due to bird flu outbreak

WESLACO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Centers for Disease Control recently issued a health alert due to a dairy worker contracting bird flu in Texas.

Experts say to be cautious but are reassured dairy and poultry should remain safe.

This strain of bird flu is known as HN51 and originated from wild birds after genetically sequencing the strain.

“This current virus has been circulating in the wild migratory bird population since late 2021 and since Texas lies in the central flyway for migratory birds there's always a risk that the virus can spill out of the wild birds and into the domestic poultry," said Doctor Thomas Langford with the Texas Animal Health Commission.

Langford explained the transmission through cattle is unprecedented from this strain and that this is a new presentation of the strain.

The strain was detected in milk on March 25. Experts are still unaware of how the virus behaves in cattle. However, Langford reassures local animal products should remain safe.

"The most important thing to keep in mind is that according to the FDA, there continues to be no concern that the circumstance poses any additional risk to consumer health or affects the safety of commercial supply," said Langford.

Daniel Lopez of Three Kings Poultry in Weslaco elaborated on how they stay safe from bird flu.

"We always take preventative measures such as disinfecting our boots and shoes before going into the barn and cleaning them out regularly," said Lopez. "And always making sure that the chickens have the best quality feed and clean water available to them. It makes for an overall healthier bird.”

Lopez said locally-raised chicken eggs should be just as safe, if not safer than commercial-raised chickens.

"When you buy from local farmers, you’re getting a guarantee that it’s going to be a fresh product because you don’t know exactly how long the eggs or beef or whatever kind of product has been sitting on the shelves," said Lopez. "You know eggs are usually stored for about a month or two before they’re actually able to go to the supermarket floors.”

The Texas Animal Health Commission advises those who raise poultry locally to report any signs of sick birds.