USDA confirms highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy herd

USA – The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) have confirmed a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13 in a dairy cattle herd in Nebraska.

This confirmation was a result of state tracing and investigation, following an initial detection from pre-movement surveillance milk samples required under the USDA’s April 2024 Federal Order.

This is the first known case of HPAI in cattle in Nebraska. While dairy cattle in a total of 17 states have been infected since the start of the outbreak in March 2024, APHIS has seen cases in only a small number of states this year.

Producers should immediately report any livestock with clinical signs or any unusual sick or dead wildlife to their state veterinarian.

APHIS is working closely with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to conduct additional on-farm investigation, testing, and gathering of additional epidemiological information to better understand this detection and limit further disease spread.

This makes Nebraska the 17th state to see cases of HPAI in cattle since the outbreak began in March 2024, though only a handful of states have reported cases this year.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture reports the affected herd is in central Nebraska and is now under quarantine.

Testing by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories shows the virus strain closely matches recent cases found in California. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the multistate outbreak was first identified in late March.

The CDC continues to note that the risk to the general public is low, but workers in close contact with infected animals should take recommended precautions.

Officials stress that this finding does not change USDA’s HPAI eradication strategy. Strong biosecurity remains the number one line of defense, especially with the fall migratory bird season approaching. 

The Food and Drug Administration indicates that pasteurization effectively inactivates the H5N1 virus, and milk from affected cows is being destroyed rather than entering the food chain. 

The detection does not change USDA’s HPAI eradication strategy. Biosecurity is still key to mitigate the risk of disease introduction or spread between premises; APHIS recommends enhanced biosecurity measures for all dairy farms, particularly as the state enters the fall migratory bird season.

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