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Put your guard up for canine brucellosis
Canine Brucellosis is a contagious zoonotic disease (affects animals and people). Once thought to be a rare disease, Canine Brucellosis has started to garner the attention of animal and human health agencies. It's difficult to diagnose, it is believed that the prevalence of disease has long been underestimated, and it may pose a larger threat than first thought.
Canine brucellosis disease control efforts in Minnesota include mandatory brucellosis testing for adult, intact dogs distributed by licensed commercial breeders, and a canine brucellosis policy that requires isolation or euthanasia of any dog confirmed to be infected. However, there are no testing requirements for imported dogs at this time. This means a lot of responsibility falls on prospective pet owners to do their homework to avoid this disease.
When considering adopting a pet, it is important for prospective owners to know the animal's history. Ask questions about the animal’s health:
- Has the dog’s general health status, including receiving recommended vaccines appropriate for its age been evaluated recently?
- Where was it born, raised, or imported from?
- Were the proper import requirements followed before the animal was brought into the state and put up for adoption?
- Does it have any health concerns, or has it been tested for any infectious diseases that it may be at higher risk for due to where it was imported from or if it was part of a breeding program?
This is just the start of ways we can all bring more awareness to this disease and our combined responsibility in stopping its spread. Learn much more about canine brucellosis on our website. [[INSERT LINK]]
Cat to human transmission of HPAI is possible
A study looked into 19 cats sickened by raw pet food between November 2024 and January 2025. The top H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza strain detected in human cases was also discovered in cats in this study. During the outbreak in the cats, primarily in California, local health officials tracked humans exposed to sick cats and didn't detect any H5N1 in those people. However, months after the cases the local health department did a follow up sampling to look for H5N1 antibodies in the exposed people and one result came back positive. A veterinary professional who handled one of the symptomatic cats had antibodies present in their body.
While the study did not concretely link an infection from bird to cat to human, it did highlight the ability of this virus to infect multiple species. The risk of H5N1 infection in humans remains very low, although poultry workers and backyard bird owners should be aware of their increased risk based on their proximity to poultry. Read a summary of the H5N1 cat study online.
No more poultry leg bands from the Board
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health will no longer be providing leg bands for poultry sales and exhibitions. However, Pullorum-Typhoid antigen for the Rapid Whole Blood test is still available to Authorized Poultry Testing Agents (APTA) in good standing.
Please note: Poultry at sales and exhibitions must be individually identified with a leg or wing band with a number on the band. The band may also include other letters such as names/initials. Leg bands are available from private retailers.
For more information on the identification requirements for poultry shows and exhibitions, visit the Board's website. Questions can be directed to the Minnesota Poultry Testing Laboratory at 320-231-5170.
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