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AABP Issues Statement Regarding Emerging Disease Name

April 10, 2024 — 

The American Association of Bovine Practitioners released a letter describing how the organization will reference the emerging cattle disease moving forward:

The American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) is an international association composed of over 5,000 veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students interested in bovine (cattle) medicine. AABP was founded in 1965 as a not-for-profit 501c6 organization. The vision of AABP is to serve society as leaders in cattle health, welfare, and productivity. The mission of the AABP is to provide support, continuing education, and advocacy for current and future veterinary professionals and the cattle they serve.

AABP has collaborated with veterinarians, allied organizations, state and federal agencies, diagnostic laboratories and animal health officials on the 2024 emerging disease event affecting dairy cattle. The virus isolated from affected animals in herds matching the clinical syndrome has been identified as avian influenza virus Type A H5N1. This virus causes Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in birds, however the disease syndrome in cattle does not cause high morbidity and mortality as it does in birds. The AABP does not believe that this disease should be referenced as "HPAI in cattle" or "bird flu in cattle" due to these differences.

The AABP will call this disease Bovine Influenza A Virus (BIAV) in our messaging and resources regarding this disease syndrome in cattle. We encourage other organizations, state animal health officials, diagnostic labs and state and federal agencies to use this name so that we can be consistent with our messaging and better distinguish the disease syndrome in cattle from the pathogenesis observed in birds. We believe it is important for the public to understand the difference to maintain confidence in the safety and accessibility of beef and dairy products for consumers.

[Source: American Association of Bovine Practitioners 8 April 2024]

Fred Gingrich, Executive Director American Association of Bovine Practitioners