Poultry World Avian influenza antibodies have been detected in a dairy cow at a dairy farm in Friesland, the Netherlands, marking the first such finding in European cattle. No evidence of active viral circulation of avian influenza among the dairy cows on the farm has been found.
According to ‘Rijksoverheid’ the Dutch Ministry of Affairs, on 15 January the dairy cattle on the Friesian farm were tested with random samples, which showed that there were no sick animals present at that time. Analysis of the milk samples by Wageningen Bioveterinary Research revealed that no active virus was present. Antibodies were also tested for in the milk samples of one cow, which indicated that the cow had previously been infected with the virus.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) visited the farm again on 22 January and blood and milk samples were taken from all cattle present. These showed that there was no avian influenza virus on the farm.