On Sept. 15, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) 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.
It was found through a milk sample collected as required for the interstate movement of cattle by the USDA’s April 2024 federal order.
According to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, the farm is located in the central part of the state and has been quarantined. Additional on-farm investigating, testing and gathering of epidemiological information is occurring to better understand this detection and limit further disease spread.
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 handful states this year.
The National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) introduced in December 2024 is ongoing, and 30 states have reached gold status, appearing to be unaffected and absent of the disease based on routine milk testing.
The risk to the general public remains low, and there is no concern that HPAI poses a risk to the safety of the commercial milk supply.
Biosecurity is still key to mitigate the risk of disease introduction or spread between premises.
