Avian flu virus affects cattle in Kansas, Texas Panhandle

State and federal agriculture officials are investigating a disease affecting livestock in the Panhandle of Kansas and North Texas.

Officials say the mystery illness is a highly pathogenic form of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.

Texas Farm Bureau spokesman Gary Joyner said the affected cows are recovering and consumers do not need to worry about contaminated dairy products.

“Cows that show signs of illness are isolated from the herd and their milk is not allowed into any food supply,” Joyner said. “The milk has a process called pasteurization that essentially kills any viruses, including this one.’ But milk never enters the food supply chain that we have as consumers,” he clarified.

Dairy farmers are taking extra precautions to protect their herds.

Officials said they have found no indication that the virus is spreading among dairy cows and that the risk to the public is low.