Colorado is the only state that requires mandatory bulk tank testing. The state veterinarian ordered these weekly tests to curb the spread of bird flu in the dairy and poultry industries. These tests have confirmed 10 new outbreaks in Colorado dairy herds. These were the first dairy herds identified using the weekly bulk tank testing program.

Since March, 63 cases of bird flu have been reported in dairy herds in Colorado. This represents one-third of all of the cases.

The USDA’s strategy to combat the spread is to isolate it on infected farms and wait for it to die off. Dairy cows typically recover after a few weeks with a low mortality rate.

Read more on bird flu in Colorado dairy herds here.