Veterinary Alert

HPAI detected in dairy herds

The USDA confirmed the detection of HPAI in milk from dairy herds in Kansas and Texas. Testing occurred in herds clinically affected with a syndrome characterized by decreased milk production in mid-late lactation cows. New Mexico has also reported similar illnesses in some of their dairy herds, but no specific disease has been isolated yet. Sick cows in the affected herds are quarantined and there’s no known risk to consumers because milk from sick cows is not being shipped. If any milk were to reach bulk collection, it is believed the virus would be destroyed by pasteurization.

The virus has been identified as the same HPAI virus circulating in the nationwide avian influenza outbreak since 2022. Results from infected cows show the virus has not adapted to the cows and there is no evidence of cow-to-cow spread. It is undetermined if HPAI is causing clinical signs, and the USDA continues to investigate the situation and collect additional samples from suspect herds.

There are no interstate movement restrictions in place at this time, and the Board recommends any producers moving animals to or from the affected states consider delaying movements or quarantining any new animals from those regions for 21-30 days before introducing them into the herd.

Does this affect Minnesota dairy cows?

We have no reports of similar clinical signs in Minnesota. The signs being reported in the affected states include substantial decrease in feed consumption of affected cows, decreased rumen and gut motility, drop or halt in milk production, thick colostrum-like milk produced, and dark tacky manure.

Contact your veterinarian and the Minnesota Board of Animal Health immediately if you see similar signs in your herd or suspect illness.

How can dairy producers protect their animals?

Follow your site-specific biosecurity plan. Biosecurity should include:

• A Line of Separation and specific access points where staff or visitors cross the line.
• A clean/dirty line at barn or parlor entries where staff or visitors can change into barn specific footwear or clothing and clean and disinfect. This point is especially important if staff travel between different locations.
• Isolate all incoming animals and screen for signs of disease before allowing them into your herd.
• Report clinical signs or suspected illnesses to your veterinarian immediately.
• Know where you source your feed and keep rodents and wildlife away from stored feed. Keep feed covered or contained and clean any feed spills immediately.

Producers can get additional biosecurity information from the Secure Milk Supply.

If you transport animals from states identified in this disease detection

Illnesses linked to this disease detection have been identified in Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas. Minnesota dairy farms should consider limiting unnecessary movements from those locations while more information is gained. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has no official movement restrictions in place.

What’s next?

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is still gathering information and assessing potential impacts for Minnesota producers, which appear to be minimal. As always, producers should report any illnesses in their animals to their herd veterinarian immediately and implement heightened biosecurity to protect their herd.

Additional resources

USDA press release announcing HPAI detections in dairy herds.

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