(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - There have been no reported cases of bird flu in dairy cows in Illinois at this point, but the state is making sure farmers and vets know what to watch for.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture said none of the state’s more than 73,000 cows have tested positive so far for H5N1.
That’s the highly contagious avian influenza virus that has killed millions of birds and shown up in dairy cattle in nine states, including Michigan.
The director of the Illinois Department of Public Health strongly encourages residents to avoid raw unpasteurized milk products at this time due to potential risk.
The USDA is now requiring testing for dairy cattle moved between states.
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