William Thiele, 29, left, and his twin brother, James, stand with their father, Edward, 58, while observing the interaction between a cow and her newborn heifer at Thiele Farm in Cabot in August 2022. Butler Eagle File Photo

To try to protect a major chunk of the state’s $132-billion-a-year agriculture industry, policy discussions are ongoing to address the first documented “jump” of highly pathogenic avian influenza from birds to dairy cows, according to state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.

Redding discussed avian flu and a crop of other topics Thursday at a farmers breakfast sponsored by state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, at the American Legion Post 778 in Lyndora.

Recently, an avian flu case in a cow has been reported in Ohio, he said. That case could add to the 12 confirmed cases in Texas, New Mexico, Michigan and Kansas. A presumptive outbreak has been reported at an Idaho dairy farm.

“This has been a shock to the dairy industry,” Redding said following the meeting.

State-level discussions are aimed at protecting the dairy industry from avian flu. An option under consideration is quarantining cattle before allowing them to enter the state, he said.

“Surveillance is the key,” Redding said.

The jump took place in Texas where cattle drank from open water sources contaminated by wild birds, he explained.

Infected cattle from the Lone Star state were then transported to the other states, he said.

None of the infected cattle have died, but flu’s impact on dairy production could become an issue, Redding said.

There are also two suspected cases of humans contracting the avian flu, he said.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a confirmed case involves a Texas man who reportedly came in contact with an infected cow.

Redding said the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture and CDC are working to find solutions.

Exposure to wild birds is what led to an avian flu outbreak at Pennsylvania poultry farms, Redding said.

That 2022 outbreak resulted in the death and state-ordered depopulation of 4.6 million turkeys and chickens, and the state requiring poultry farms to implement biosecurity plans to prevent the flu from spreading.

He said discussions are also underway on a plan in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget to open an animal heath lab in Western Pennsylvania to help the state address issues like bird flu and chronic wasting disease.

Of the three existing labs, the closest to the western side of the state is in State College, Redding said.

Cabot dairy farmer William Thiele, who is a member of the Butler County Farm Bureau, said he is excited that an animal health lab could be coming to Western Pennsylvania, and glad Gov. Josh Shapiro recognizes the need for it.