The United States has reported its first bird flu outbreak in cows. A statement from the US Department of Agriculture on Monday (March 25) said that authorities were investigating an illness among primarily older dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico that is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms.

The United States has reported its first bird flu outbreak in cows. A statement from the US Department of Agriculture on Monday (March 25) said that authorities were investigating an illness among primarily older dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico that is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms. "As of Monday, March 25, unpasteurized, clinical samples of milk from sick cattle collected from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas, as well as an oropharyngeal swab from another dairy in Texas, have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)," the statement said. Also read | Chinese scientists clone 'super cows' capable of producing huge amounts of milk The statement added that federal and state agencies were moving quickly to conduct additional testing for HPAI, as well as viral genome sequencing to better understand the situation. Is it safe to consume milk? The Department of Agriculture said that there was no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this circumstance posed a risk to consumer health. "Dairies are required to send only milk from healthy animals into processing for human consumption; milk from impacted animals is being diverted or destroyed so that it does not enter the food supply. In addition, pasteurisation has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. Pasteurization is required for any milk entering interstate commerce," the statement added. The department also said that federal agencies were also working with state and industry partners to encourage farmers and veterinarians to report cattle illnesses quickly. It added that milk loss resulting from symptomatic cattle to date is too limited to have a major impact on supply and there should be no impact on the price of milk or other dairy products. (With inputs from agencies)

US reports first bird flu outbreak in cows. Is it safe to consume milk?

Invasive descendants of Callery pears have been found in more than 30 states of America.

The United States Department of Agriculture has described them as “Worse than murder hornets!”

Creating thickets that overwhelm native plants, the stinky trees sport nasty four-inch spikes.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/a-crash-course-on-how-to-track-trap-and-kill-murder-hornets-407286/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Their smell has been compared to perfume gone wrong, rotting fish, chlorine, and a cheese sandwich left in a car for a week.

Callery pears were originally brought to the US a century ago to save ravaged pear orchards but now 24 ornamental trees have developed from them.

Though most of the invasions have been reported in the South and Northeast of the country, it has also spread to Indiana.

“If you mow it, it sprouts and you get a thicket,” said James&nbsp;Vogt, a scientist at the US Forest Service’s Southern Research Station in Athens, Georgia.

Calling it a ''menace'' he said, “If you burn it, it sprouts, too.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-new-rare-species-of-crown-jellyfish-found-in-monterey-bay-by-scientists-in-us-473094" hreflang="en">Watch: New rare species of crown jellyfish found in Monterey Bay by scientists in US</a>

According to David R. Coyle, an assistant professor in Clemson University’s Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, ''Seedlings only a few months old bear spurs that can punch through tractor tires.''

“They’re kind of a food desert for a bird,” he added.&nbsp;

University of Cincinnati researcher Theresa M. Culley said, “A wild population can potentially originate from a single landscaping tree that someone plants in their yard.”

Scientists at the US Department of Agriculture had first observed a mutant growing from seeds of Callery pears in 1952.

They cloned an ornamental line by grafting its cuttings onto roots of other Callery pears which generated 24 more varieties.

New York City's parks department spokesman Dan Kastanis said more than 58,000 out of 650,000 trees planted along the streets were Bradford and other Callery ornamentals.

(With inputs from agencies)

Invasive descendants of Callery pears have been found in more than 30 states of America. The United States Department of Agriculture has described them as “Worse than murder hornets!

Invasive descendants of Callery pears have been found in more than 30 states of America. The United States Department of Agriculture has described them as “Worse than murder hornets!” Creating thickets that overwhelm native plants, the stinky trees sport nasty four-inch spikes. Their smell has been compared to perfume gone wrong, rotting fish, chlorine, and a cheese sandwich left in a car for a week. Callery pears were originally brought to the US a century ago to save ravaged pear orchards but now 24 ornamental trees have developed from them. Though most of the invasions have been reported in the South and Northeast of the country, it has also spread to Indiana. “If you mow it, it sprouts and you get a thicket,” said James Vogt, a scientist at the US Forest Service’s Southern Research Station in Athens, Georgia. Calling it a ''menace'' he said, “If you burn it, it sprouts, too.” Watch: New rare species of crown jellyfish found in Monterey Bay by scientists in US According to David R. Coyle, an assistant professor in Clemson University’s Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, ''Seedlings only a few months old bear spurs that can punch through tractor tires.'' “They’re kind of a food desert for a bird,” he added. University of Cincinnati researcher Theresa M. Culley said, “A wild population can potentially originate from a single landscaping tree that someone plants in their yard.” Scientists at the US Department of Agriculture had first observed a mutant growing from seeds of Callery pears in 1952. They cloned an ornamental line by grafting its cuttings onto roots of other Callery pears which generated 24 more varieties. New York City's parks department spokesman Dan Kastanis said more than 58,000 out of 650,000 trees planted along the streets were Bradford and other Callery ornamentals. (With inputs from agencies)

Invasive descendants of Callery pears found in over 30 states in US

us-department-of-agriculture

Us Department Of Agriculture, News on Us Department Of Agriculture, stories on Us Department Of Agriculture, articles on Us Department Of Agriculture, Us Department Of Agriculture stories at Wion, Us Department Of Agriculture news, Us Department Of Agriculture latest news

us department-of-agriculture

US reports first bird flu outbreak in cows. Is it safe to consume milk?

Invasive descendants of Callery pears found in over 30 states in US