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Click the flier below for the map and all details. USDA Actions to Protect Livestock Health From Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza Mandatory Testing for Interstate Movement of Dairy Cattle WASHINGTON, April 24, 2024 – To further protect the U.S. livestock industry from the threat posed by highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, USDA is sharing a number of actions that we are taking with our federal partners to help us get ahead of this disease and limit its spread. Today, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a Federal Order requiring the following measures, effective Monday, April 29, 2024 (click here for full press release) Mandatory Testing for Interstate Movement of Dairy Cattle Prior to interstate movement, dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory. Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive for interstate movement will be required to provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing. Dairy cattle moving interstate must adhere to conditions specified by APHIS. As will be described in forthcoming guidance, these steps will be immediately required for lactating dairy cattle, while these requirements for other classes of dairy cattle will be based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile. Mandatory Reporting Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A nucleic acid detection diagnostic results (e.g. PCR or genetic sequencing) in livestock to USDA APHIS. Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A serology diagnostic results in livestock to USDA APHIS. USDA has identified spread between cows within the same herd, spread from cows to poultry, spread between dairies associated with cattle movements, and cows without clinical signs that have tested positive. On April 16, APHIS microbiologists identified a shift in an H5N1 sample from a cow in Kansas that could indicate that the virus has an adaptation to mammals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted further analysis of the specimen sequence, which did not change their overall risk assessment for the general public, because the substitution has been seen previously in other mammalian infections and does not impact viral transmission. Additionally, APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories found H5N1 in a lung tissue sample from an asymptomatic cull dairy cow that originated from an affected herd and did not enter the food supply. The novel movement of H5N1 between wild birds and dairy cows requires further testing and time to develop a critical understanding to support any future courses of action. This Federal Order is critical to increasing the information available for USDA. Requiring positive test reporting will help USDA better under this disease and testing before interstate movement will limit its spread. While we are taking this action today, it is important to remember that thus far, we have not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans and between people. While cases among humans in direct contact with infected animals are possible, our partners at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe that the current risk to the public remains low. For the full press release, CLICK HERE. Full USDA Press Release Updates on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) in Dairy Herds FAQs Federal Order Effective Monday, April 29, 2024 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Detected in Dairy Cattle (No detections in RI or New England) APHIS Recommendations for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Virus in Livestock For State Animal Health Officials, Accredited Veterinarians and Producers | April 12, 2024 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (HPAI) H5N1 virus is an emerging disease in cattle. Federal and state agencies are moving quickly to conduct additional testing for HPAI (H5N1) virus, as well as viral genome sequencing, so that we can better understand the situation, including characterization of the HPAI (H5N1) virus strain or strains associated with these detections as well as any other multi-factorial components of the disease event in dairy cattle. This is a rapidly evolving situation. USDA and Federal and State partners will continue to share additional updates as soon as information becomes available. Our goal is to safeguard the health of the herd and protect the industry; keep our milk and beef supply safe; and protect public health and human safety based on the most up-to-date information we have. As of Thursday, May 2, 2024, The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) HPAI website shows total of thirty-six dairies in Texas, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, North Carolina, South Dakota and Colorado have tested positive for HPAI. (Each detection is a herd detection, the number does not represent single animals.) At this time, there continues to be no concern that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health, or that it affects the safety of the interstate commercial milk supply because products are pasteurized before entering the market. (USDA Q & A regarding Milk Safety during the HPAI Outbreak ). In a difference of opinion from USDA APHIS, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners will now refer to highly pathogenic avian influenza in cattle as bovine influenza A virus, or BIAV, and is encouraging everyone to do the same. In an open letter dated April 8, 2024, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) says that though caused by the same virus, the disease presents very differently in cattle versus poultry and is far less lethal. The name change reflects the difference in the presentation of the disease between species. The organization is encouraging government officials and industry to adopt the name change. The virus isolated from affected animals in herds matching the clinical...