Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Livestock
On March 25, 2024, a mystery illness that had been impacting dairy herds in the Texas Panhandle, New Mexico and Kansas was officially diagnosed as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Also known as bird flu, the same strain has been affecting the U.S. poultry flock for the past two years. The AgWeb team is tracking the HPAI cases to keep you aware of any changes while providing information you can use to elevate your knowledge and what the evolving dynamics could mean to your operation.
Latest News on HPAI
USDA is now ordering all dairy cattle must be tested prior to interstate travel as a way to help stop the spread of HPAI H5N1. This comes a day after FDA confirmed virus genetic material was found in retail milk samples.
The agency will provide reimbursement for testing at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network laboratory.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza and African swine fever are two high-priority research areas that will be funded through a $17.6-million investment by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to protect the health and welfare of agricultural animals.
As we near 200-herds being impacted by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the USDA says work is moving forward on a vaccine.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will soon begin compensating dairy farmers for the loss of milk supply due to bird flu-infected cows.
Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas are participating in the voluntary pilot program. Additional testing for the virus is also underway in aged raw-milk cheese, cream cheese, butter and ice cream.
Floodwaters breached levees in parts of Iowa on Tuesday, with more flooding anticipated for Wednesday. The damage to row-crop and livestock operations is likely significant, according to state officials.
The state of Wisconsin is now requiring a negative highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) (H5N1) test in order for exhibitors to showcase lactating dairy cows at local fairs and exhibitions within the state.
The outbreak of the HPAI H5N1 virus in dairy has sent cattle prices on a rollercoaster ride. The market digested both good and bad news this week, but one analyst cautions volatility will continue into summer.
USDA-FSIS said it collected 30 samples from “states with dairy cattle herds that had tested positive for the H5N1 influenza virus at the time of sample collection.” No virus particles were found to be present.