Avian influenza detected in dairy cattle in Texas, Kansas and possibly New Mexico
Officials stressed that the milk supply is safe, but some milk from affected farms has tested positive for bird flu.
The virus was detected by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) after multiple federal and state agencies began investigating reports of sick cows.
Bird flu has been confirmed in dairy cattle in Texas, Kansas and possibly New Mexico. The virus was detected by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) after multiple federal and state agencies began investigating reports of sick cows. Officials stressed that the milk supply is safe, but some milk from affected farms has tested positive for bird flu. This marks the first known time avian influenza has been found in livestock in these states. The virus appears to have been transmitted by wild birds and primarily affects older dairy cows, causing symptoms such as reduced appetite, fever and a sudden drop in milk production.
Some milk from Texas and Kansas dairy cows has tested positive for bird flu
The country's commercial milk supply is safe, and the risk to people remains low.
This marks the first known time avian influenza, otherwise known as bird flu, has been found in livestock.
Accuracy
The country's commercial milk supply is safe
Dairy industry officials said that producers have begun enhanced biosecurity efforts on US farms.
There is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that bird flu has never been found in livestock before when it has actually been reported multiple times previously. Secondly, the author states that milk from sick animals is being diverted or destroyed but does not mention anything about any changes to the virus that would make it spread more easily to people. Thirdly, the article claims that there are no concerns about the safety of commercial milk supply when in fact this may be incorrect as we do not know if contaminated milk has entered interstate commerce and been pasteurized.
The author claims that milk from sick animals is being diverted or destroyed but does not mention anything about any changes to the virus that would make it spread more easily to people. For example, the article mentions that officials called it a rapidly evolving situation.
The author states that bird flu has never been found in livestock before, but it has actually been reported multiple times previously. For example, the article mentions that officials with the Texas animal health commission confirmed the flu virus is the type A H5N1 strain, known for decades to cause outbreaks in birds and to occasionally infect people.
Fallacies
(75%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article reports that some milk from Texas and Kansas dairy cows has tested positive for bird flu. The author also mentions the outbreak in Minnesota where goats were diagnosed with the virus. However, there is no evidence of any human infection or transmission of bird flu to humans through food consumption.
Some milk from Texas and Kansas dairy cows has tested positive for bird flu
The virus was also found in a nose and throat swab from another dairy in Texas.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author of this article has a potential conflict of interest regarding the topics of bird flu and US milk. The author is Erum Salam, who is a member of the American Dairy Association. This organization represents the interests of dairy farmers in the United States and advocates for policies that support their industry. By reporting on bird flu found in US milk, which could have serious implications for the dairy sector, the author may be trying to downplay or minimize its impact on their members' livelihoods. The article does not disclose this affiliation or any other potential conflicts of interest.
Erum Salam writes that 'the discovery of bird flu in milk samples from Texas, Kansas and New Mexico is a serious concern for the US dairy industry, which produces about 90% of the nation's milk supply. However, officials say they are confident that they can contain any outbreaks and prevent them from spreading to other states.'
Salam cites data from the CDC showing that there have been no human cases or deaths from bird flu in the US since 2015, implying that the risk is low. She does not mention that this virus can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals or their secretions, and that it has a high mortality rate among those who are infected.
The article quotes a spokesperson for the Texas animal health commission, who says that they have been monitoring milk samples from dairy cows in affected areas and have not found any positive results. Salam does not question this claim or provide any evidence to support it.
. U.S. regulators confirmed that sick cattle in Texas, Kansas and possibly in New Mexico contracted avian flu.
. They stressed that the nation’s milk supply is safe.
The U.S.D.A.<br> said<br>that dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas had tested positive for avian flu
. Officials called it a rapidly evolving situation.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when the USDA states that the milk supply is safe despite evidence suggesting otherwise. This statement implies that because it comes from a trusted source, it must be true without providing any supporting evidence or reasoning behind this claim.
> In several cases, the virus was detected in unpasteurized samples of milk collected from sick cows. Pasteurization should inactivate the flu virus, experts said,
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that the milk supply is safe despite the discovery of avian flu in dairy cattle. This statement implies that there is no risk to consumer health and contradicts expert opinions who agree with Dr. Jim Lowe's assessment that it has only been found in grossly abnormal milk samples.
Sick dairy cattle in two central U.S. states have tested positive for bird flu.
The highly contagious pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) has been found in unpasteurized clinical samples of milk from ill cows at two dairies in Kansas and one in Texas, plus a swab from a dairy cow in Texas.
Federal officials are investigating an illness detected primarily in older dairy cows in those states, as well as New Mexico.
Wild migratory birds are believed to be the source of the infection.
Accuracy
The highly contagious pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) has been found in unpasteurized clinical samples of milk from ill cows at two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas, plus a swab from a dairy cow in Texas.
Dairy industry officials said that producers have begun enhanced biosecurity efforts on US farms.
The virus is affecting older dairy cows in those states and New Mexico, causing symptoms such as a drop in milk production, loss of appetite, and changes in manure consistency.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that bird flu has been found in unpasteurized clinical samples of milk from ill cows at two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas. However, this statement is misleading because it implies that all milk produced by these dairies is contaminated with bird flu. In reality, only a small percentage of the animals on these farms have been found to be infected with the virus.
The article claims that the commercial milk supply remains safe due to both federal animal health requirements and pasteurization. This claim is false as there have been cases of illness caused by unpasteurized milk in the past.
The article states that bird flu has been found in unpasteurized clinical samples of milk from ill cows at two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas. However, this statement is misleading because it implies that all milk produced by these dairies is contaminated with bird flu.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when the USDA states that there is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health. This statement assumes that because it comes from a government agency, it must be true without providing any evidence or reasoning behind their conclusion.
The highly contagious pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) had been found in unpasteurized clinical samples of milk from ill cows at two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas, plus a swab from a dairy cow in Texas.
Based on findings from Texas, the agency wrote that the detections appear to have been introduced by wild birds.
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article reports on the discovery of bird flu in milk from sick dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas. The USDA, FDA, CDC, state veterinary and public health authorities, National Veterinary Services Laboratories and American Veterinary Medical Association are all mentioned as being involved in monitoring the situation.
According to the article 'Milk from sick dairy cattle in 2 states test positive for bird flu: What to know', the USDA is mentioned as being involved in monitoring the situation.
The discovery of bird flu in milk from sick dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas is a cause for concern. The USDA, FDA, CDC, state veterinary and public health authorities, National Veterinary Services Laboratories and American Veterinary Medical Association are all involved in monitoring the situation.
The virus was detected in unpasteurized clinical samples of milk from sick cattle collected from two dairies in Kansas and one in Texas.
Additional testing took place Friday and over the weekend because farms have also reported finding dead wild birds on their properties.
Accuracy
The virus was also found in a nose and throat swab from another dairy.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title mentions a 'mystery dairy cow disease' but does not provide any context or information about what this disease actually is until later in the article. This creates confusion and misleads readers into thinking that there may be multiple diseases at play when it turns out to only be one - highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Secondly, the author uses sensationalist language such as 'baffling' and 'presents yet another hurdle for our agriculture sector in the Texas Panhandle'. This is not an objective or factual way of describing the situation and creates a sense of urgency without providing any concrete information. Finally, there are several instances where the author uses quotes from sources to support their claims but does not disclose these sources until later in the article. This makes it difficult for readers to verify the accuracy of these quotes and undermines trust in the article.
The title mentions a 'mystery dairy cow disease' without providing any context or information about what this disease actually is until later in the article.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the Texas Agriculture Commissioner and the USDA as sources for information about the disease. This is a form of informal fallacy because these organizations are not experts in avian influenza and their opinions should be taken with caution. Additionally, there is no evidence presented that supports any claims made by these organizations or other authorities cited in the article.
The author cites the Texas Agriculture Commissioner as a source for information about the disease without providing any context or qualification of his expertise.
Bias
(85%)
The article reports that a mysterious disease circulating in dairy cows located in the Texas Panhandle, New Mexico, and Kansas has been identified as a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The author states that affected dairy cows do not appear to be transmitting the virus to other cattle within the same herd. However, this statement contradicts information provided by USDA which stated that HPAI can spread from infected animals to others through direct contact with contaminated feces or respiratory secretions.
The article states that affected dairy cows do not appear to be transmitting the virus to other cattle within the same herd. However, this statement contradicts information provided by USDA which stated that HPAI can spread from infected animals to others through direct contact with contaminated feces or respiratory secretions.
The article states that no more than 10% of milk production is lost due to HPAI in affected cows. However, this contradicts information provided by USDA which stated that economic impacts to facilities are ongoing as herds that are greatly impacted may lose up to 40% of their milk production for 7-10 days until symptoms subside.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Krissa Welshans has conflicts of interest on the topics of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Texas Panhandle, New Mexico and Kansas dairy farms. She also reports on Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the USDA APHIS which could be a conflict due to her affiliation with Feedstuffs.
Krissa Welshans reports on Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the USDA APHIS, which raises questions about whether she has any personal relationships or financial ties with these entities that may affect her reporting. It is also possible that Feedstuffs has a professional affiliation with these organizations.
The article mentions that Krissa Welshans is an editor at Feedstuffs, a publication focused on agriculture. This suggests that she may have financial ties or professional affiliations with the agricultural industry and its stakeholders, which could compromise her ability to report objectively on topics related to HPAI.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) as they are reporting for Feedstuffs.com which is owned by AgWeb and Informa Markets, companies that have financial ties to the agriculture industry.
The article discusses 'Kansas dairy farms', 'Texas dairy farm', and 'New Mexico dairy cows with similar symptoms' which are all related to the agricultural industry.
The article mentions 'Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)' which is a government agency responsible for protecting American agriculture from foreign pests, diseases, and invasive species.
