‘Shocking’: Bird-Flu Infected Cattle Dumped at California Roadside
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Footage obtained by Newsweek from a California veterinarian shows dead dairy cows infected with avian influenza piled by the roadside without any biosecurity measures or warning signs.
The vet fears the dead animals could further spread the H5 bird flu outbreak which continues to ravage California cattle farms, with 100 herds affected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The videos, captured on Oct. 8 by veterinarian Crystal Heath, shows the pile of deceased dairy cows outside Mendonsa Farms, just south of Tulare, California.
These cows, confirmed to have been infected with avian influenza (H5N1), were left exposed without any warning signs or biosecurity precautions. The footage was deemed too graphic for publication.
“What was so shocking was that there was so little signage around anywhere telling the public about avian influenza and warning them of the biosecurity risks,” Heath told Newsweek.
“I’m worried that wildlife could come into contact with them. We know that cats are susceptible to avian influenza; the first sign that a farm has an infection is often when cats end up dying after they’ve drunk raw milk.”
Anja Raudabaugh, CEO of Western United Dairies—the trade organization representing Mendonsa Farms—confirmed that the dead cattle had succumbed to bird flu.
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Article URL : https://www.newsweek.com/disturbing-footage-reveals-bird-flu-infected-cattle-dumped-roadside-1967813