Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
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 Dairy Herd 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.
Nuisance birds are more than just an annoyance now with the risk of spreading Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Explore tips for ridding dairy sites of unwanted avian visitors.
The state’s new mandate aims to identify additional farms that could be infected and spread the disease to other dairies or poultry flocks.
The USDA will now begin accepting applications for H5N1 milk loss assistance.
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.
According to FDA, the additional testing confirms the safety of the commercial milk supply with what it calls substantial data. The tests were done on 297 samples of milk from 38 states.
FDA says preliminary results of additional testing of more dairy products has shown pasteurization inactivates the H5N1 virus.
Federal officials are seeking to verify the safety of milk and meat after confirming the H5N1 virus in nine states since late March. The public health risk is low, but is higher for those exposed to infected animals.
The agency will provide reimbursement for testing at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network laboratory.
The livestock industry needs a comprehensive, cohesive plan to address the virus. Producers, their employees and veterinarians need clear answers and support from U.S. agricultural leadership, moving forward.
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.
International demand needs to pick up before U.S. milk prices can increase significantly.
It seems as if the dairy industry has taken HPAI in stride. Price fluctuations have been the result of buyers of the physical commodity on the CME daily spot market doing normal business.
Consistent biosecurity measures have always been needed on dairy farms. And, on the heels of several confirmed cases of the HPAI in dairy cattle this spring, the need for stepped-up biosecurity measures is essential.
The American Association of Bovine Practitioners is making the name change, as it more accurately reflects the issue.
Kay Russo, DVM, Novonesis technical services manager for dairy and poultry, emphasized the situation is rapidly evolving and more clarity will come with time as researchers learn more.
Sid Miller, commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture, says the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza impacting beef cattle in the state’s panhandle – where dairy cows have been infected – is minimal.
Ohio has become the sixth state where dairy cattle have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu.
Livestock producers and veterinarians are urged to practice good biosecurity practices to prevent transmission of the disease. Five states have also issued restrictions on dairy cattle movement.
So far, HPAI has not had an impact on milk futures or the underlying cash prices. However, HPAI has not had an impact on milk futures or the underlying cash prices.
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture announced that HPAI, known as highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, has been found in dairy cattle in Idaho.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that a human case of bird flu has been confirmed in Texas and identified in a person who had direct exposure to dairy cattle presumed to be infected with the disease.
In an effort to increase its biosecurity measures against HPAI, also known as bird flu, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture has issued a 30 day restriction on the importation of dairy cattle.
The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle, while federal and state agencies continue to assure consumers there’s no concern about the safety of the U.S. milk supply.
USDA says genetic sequencing revealed the mystery illness impacting Texas dairies is the same strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that’s been in the U.S. The virus is carried by wild waterfowl.