The highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) virus is sweeping the United States and affecting more than just poultry flocks. According to the CDC, a positive case has been verified in a person in Texas at the beginning of this month. While this person’s symptoms are reportedly mild, the confirmed case shouldn’t be taken lightly.  

A strong biosecurity plan needs to be created and sustained across entire operations for animal health professionals to protect both their livestock and themselves. Here’s a rundown of H5N1, the USDA’s recommendations for biosecurity, and how Cryoport Systems supports your biosecurity measures with every shipment.  

H5N1's cross-country spread 

While H5N1 is commonly referred to as a type of bird flu, the virus threatens other animals besides poultry. Currently, H5N1 has been confirmed in cattle herds. Erin Robinson, director of communications at the Texas Animal Health Commission told Agriculture Drive, “What we have seen in dairy cattle in Texas appears to be the same H5N1 strain in wild birds. While we aren’t 100% sure how this is transmitted to dairy cattle, it is something of note to mention.” 

Texas isn’t the only state with affected cattle herds. As stated in that same article for Agriculture Drive, H5N1 has been identified in herds across Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico and Idaho. Initially, H5N1 was passed to cattle via infected wild birds. However, state and federal officials aren’t sure if the virus has since been transmitted from cow-to-cow. 

Erin Robinson remarked that while the Texas Animal Health Commission doesn’t have an answer for why the virus spreads to certain animals over others, they “are looking into the specifics to answer the question.” 

Recommendations for a specific H5N1 biosecurity plan 

The prospect of a virus that can spread from poultry to livestock to humans is certainly frightening. However, the USDA recently published a list of recommendations for creating a biosecurity plan to prevent the spread of H5N1 across cattle herds. These specifications are meant to be added to one’s existing biosecurity plan to heighten coverage during this time. 

The USDA’s list of recommendations includes specifics for:  

Additionally, the CDC’s influenza webpage contains articles specific to preventing, monitoring and responding to H5N1 outbreaks that can be influential in any animal health professional’s biosecurity plan. 

Veri-Clean’s^® one-of-a-kind support of biosecurity 

Cryoport Systems ensures that our support of your biosecurity plan upholds the highest standards of compliance. According to Secure Milk Supply, biosecurity extends to the transport of sensitive materials from farms to facilities in reusable, temperature-controlled dewars or shippers. Maintaining the cleanliness of both the exterior and interior of the shippers is vital to this effort. If a shipper is not properly cleaned post-transit, the sensitive materials could be placed into contaminated shippers, thus threatening the integrity of whatever is inside.  

Cryoport System’s Veri-Clean validated cleaning and disinfection process is the only of its kind within the animal health industry. This process virtually eliminates the risk of cross-contamination by decontaminating all Cryoport Express® shippers and stainless-steel accessories after every use. Veri-Clean utilizes a multi-purpose reagent effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses such as H5N1.  

With support from a third-party accredited laboratory, Veri-Clean cleaning and disinfection procedures: 

Our Veri-Clean process is the best defense to enhance your biosecurity plan and protect your livestock.  

For more information about Cryoport Systems’ support of your animal health material transport journey, contact Cryoport Systems’ animal health expert, Tony Thomas, at [email protected].