The cow-hugging craze in the US may be under threat due to an outbreak of bird flu.
O social media trend involves punters paying to snuggle up in a herd – whilst helping little ones farmers cover food bills.
For visitors, it can be therapeutic.
However, cuddling with cattle could be under threat after bird flu was confirmed among dairy herds in nine US states.
Scientists believe that the disease may be more widespread in the country’s 26,000 licensed dairy farms.
In TexasThe dairy worker tested positive for the virus, but the risk of human infection remains low, according to government officials.
These same authorities are asking livestock and dairy producers to limit outside visitors.
New sanitation measures and access limitations were introduced in the state of Michigan.
Although the emergency response order does not explicitly prohibit hugging cows, officials do not recommend it.
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring said, “From a human and animal health perspective, now is not a good time to pet cows.
“This is to protect the cows and people,” he added.
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The restrictions could mean economic hardship for some small family farms.
Henk De Vor said his northern Michigan farm “already [has] safety measures in place.” Your one-hour sessions are booked weeks in advance and cover your insurance bill.
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Luz and Dan Klotz, Illinois, owners of Luz Farms, also have protective measures in place to ensure the safety of their visitors and keep their farm running.
One hour of cow affection pays for a bale of hay – enough to keep his small herd fed for a week.
“That helps a lot,” Klotz said.
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