In the past 30 days, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed the presence of HPAI (H5N1) in 65 dairy herds in eight states including Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota. Access the full list of H5N1 detections in livestock.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) continues to update the frequently asked questions document on the state order.       Access the FAQ here.

To date, there have not been any detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) (H5N1) in Wisconsin cattle, poultry, or wildlife with the genotype associated with dairy cattle detections in other states. 

Today, USDA announced that it will soon begin accepting applications through the updated Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) to provide financial assistance to affected herds. Eligible dairy producers must have incurred milk losses due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) (H5N1) infection. Positive test results must be confirmed through a USDA NVSL lab. Access more information about the ELAP announcement.

As a reminder, USDA also has expanded support for producers who are affected and not affected by HPAI (H5N1) including biosecurity planning, shipping costs, and veterinary cost reimbursement.

Additionally, USDA has a Dairy Herd Status Program which offers dairy producers more options to monitor the health of their herds and move cows interstate while further reducing HPAI (H5N1) virus spread. Access more information on the Dairy Herd Status Program.

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