Reports of bird flu puts fans of bizarre ‘cow cuddling’ craze at risk

A new craze is apparently under threat amid reports of the first bovine cases of bird flu. 

‘Cow cuddling’, during which participants spend an hour or more nuzzling up with calves and fully grown cows, has recently taken off in the UK and the US. 

One of Metro’s own reporters recently went along to test out the new fad first-hand, which advocates say can be calming, even therapeutic. 

However, the new trend appears to pose a risk of serious harm with cases, first reported back in March, of bird-to-bovine transmission of avian flu. 

The virus has already been confirmed among dairy herds in nine US states. 

No such reports have yet been found in the UK, but scientists believe it may be more widespread than indicated by initial testing and research. 

Texas has also seen the first case of cow-to-human transmission of the virus. 

The risk of human infection nevertheless remains generally low, according to government data. 

All the same, officials have urged cattle farmers in the US to limit their herds’ exposure to outside visitors. 

In Michigan, this has included the introduction of new sanitation measures and mandatory access limitations. 

Tim Boring, director of Michigan’s department of agriculture and rural development, has said: ‘From a human to animal health standpoint, now is not a good time to cuddle cows.

‘This is to protect the cows and people.’

The prospect of further restrictions may well prove daunting for some farms already capitalising on the craze.

Luz and Dan Klotz, who run Luz Farms in Illinois, told Sky News that just one hour-long ‘cow cuddling’ session pays enough to keep their herd fed for up to a week.

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