USDA Says Avian Flu in NE Dairy Herd
Nebraska Dairy Herd Quarantined After HPAI Confirmed During Routine Testing
REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed in a central Nebraska dairy herd on Sept. 15, according to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
HPAI is most common in the spring and fall along the migration route of wild birds. This is the first case of the virus in a dairy herd in Nebraska. The herd has been quarantined. The test was confirmed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories and shows to be similar to a strain formerly found in California. This was detected due to the pre-movement surveillance milk samples required under USDA's 2024 federal orders to test milk samples and lactating dairy cows before interstate movement.
BIOSECURITY OFFERS DISEASE PREVENTION
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HPAI mostly affects dairy cows that are in late-stage lactation. Clinical signs include a decrease in food consumption, clear nasal discharge, drop in milk production, tacky or loose feces, lethargy, dehydration, fever, and thicker, concentrated milk.
Nebraska State Veterinarian Roger Dudley said Nebraska dairy producers should follow strict biosecurity protocols and contact their herd veterinarian immediately if they suspect the virus in their cattle. Supportive care with plenty of fluids will help dairy cattle recover and very little mortality is expected.
"There is no concern that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health, or that it affects the safety of the commercial milk supply," APHIS said in a news release.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), avian influenza viruses circulating in birds and U.S. dairy cattle are believed to pose a low risk to the public. Those working with infected animals are at higher risk and should take appropriate precautions.
Within the past 30 days, this is the only confirmed case of HPAI in dairy cattle. The total outbreak in dairy cattle has confirmed 1,080 cases in 18 states. In the past 30 days, 13 poultry flocks have been confirmed that affected 400,000 birds. Since the start of the outbreak on Feb. 8, 2022, 175.24 million birds have been affected in 1,723 flocks in all 50 states.
Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com
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