USDA Announces New Actions on HPAI (H5N1)

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection sent this bulletin at 05/10/2024 05:10 PM CDT

Division of Animal Health

DATCPanimals@wisconsin.gov | (608) 224-4872 | https://datcp.wi.gov

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced assistance for producers with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) affected premises to improve on-site biosecurity in order to reduce the spread among livestock. This assistance for HPAI (H5N1) premises includes:

Providing financial support for producers who supply personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees
Supporting biosecurity planning
Providing funding for heat treatment to dispose of milk
Reimbursing for veterinarian costs
Offset shipping costs for influenza A testing at laboratories in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN)
Compensating producers for loss of milk production

Access the full release.

As a reminder, DATCP's Division of Animal Health launched a new web form to assist with the guidance for state animal health officials, accredited veterinarians, and producers related to USDA's Federal Order. To facilitate these time-sensitive movements, this form may be completed by the animal owner, producer, hauler, or market representative. Once submitted, the web form sends a completed copy of the form to participating states (both receiving and exporting states). States not participating are not available in the drop-down menu when completing the form. More information can be found on DATCP's website: Owner Hauler Statement for Lactating Dairy Cow Transport to Slaughter (wi.gov). Information about additional requirements for movement under the Federal Order can be found: Summary of Additional Requirements for Movement of Lactating Dairy Cattle (wi.gov).

The FDA and USDA continue to emphasize that the commercial milk supply is safe because of the pasteurization process. Access the update from FDA on commercial milk safety. USDA is also confident that the meat supply is safe. Access the update from USDA on beef safety studies.

USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has now confirmed the presence of HPAI (H5N1) in 42 dairy herds in Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, and Texas. Access the full list of H5N1 detections in livestock.

Producers should continue to enhance their biosecurity efforts and monitor and control disease in their herds and flocks. DATCP is closely monitoring HPAI (H5N1) in dairy cattle and continues to encourage producers that notice unusual clinical signs in their cattle to work with their herd veterinarian. To report herds with unexplained symptoms, veterinarians should contact DATCP at (608) 224-4872 (business hours) or (800) 943-0003 (after hours and weekends). 

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Division of Animal Health
https://datcp.wi.gov

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

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