Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
In Case You Missed It
On May 1, 2026, DATCP notified dairy producers and veterinarians of updated guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Effective immediately, lactating dairy cattle moving interstate from states designated with Unaffected State Status under USDA's National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) are no longer required to test for HPAI prior to interstate movement.
Wisconsin currently meets the criteria for Unaffected State Status through ongoing surveillance and testing activities conducted under the NMTS. As a result, lactating dairy cattle moving interstate from Wisconsin are not currently subject to the federal pre-movement testing requirements established under USDA's April 2024 Federal Order.
Wisconsin also had a state order in place requiring individual cow HPAI testing prior to attending fairs and exhibitions in Wisconsin. This order has been rescinded. Lactating dairy cows attending Wisconsin fairs and exhibitions are no longer required to have an individual HPAI test unless they are coming from a state without Unaffected State Status under NMTS.
National Outlook
In the last 30 days, the USDA has confirmed HPAI in:
- 13 cases in poultry in six states.
- Five cases in livestock in one state.
Access the lists of detections in poultry and livestock.
To date, there has been one HPAI detection in livestock other than poultry in Wisconsin. Access the list of recent poultry detections in Wisconsin and the list of livestock detections in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin and the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS)
With help from industry partners, Wisconsin is sampling milk at the farm level for the mandatory USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) NMTS. Wisconsin began NMTS testing in May 2025 and achieved unaffected Gold Status in September 2025 and again on March 2, 2026. In early May, Wisconsin transitioned to a reduced testing frequency while maintaining the state's commitment to ongoing surveillance pursuant to the NMTS. DATCP expects to continue to utilize milk samples through existing, routine sampling.
DATCP will continue to utilize milk samples that are already collected through existing, routine sampling to streamline the NMTS testing process. The DATCP HPAI in Dairy Cattle webpage will continue to be updated weekly as the testing continues.
Access the updated April 26-May 2, 2026 milk testing numbers on DATCP's website. To date, more than 47,000 milk samples have been tested as part of the NMTS. These tests represent nearly all licensed dairies in Wisconsin, with continuing verifications underway to ensure complete statewide reach. The DATCP HPAI in Dairy Cattle webpage will continue to be updated weekly as the testing continues.
Biosecurity and Monitoring
It is important to remain vigilant and utilize enhanced biosecurity measures.
HPAI Protocol: What to Do if HPAI is Confirmed on Your Dairy Farm
DATCP created a resource document in case of a detection of HPAI on a dairy farm. The document is intended to serve as a general reference for industry, but individual needs and response actions may differ for HPAI detections depending on the operation and specific circumstances. Access the HPAI Protocol: What to Do if HPAI is Confirmed on Your Dairy Farm document.
Human Health Precautions
Human cases of HPAI have been reported following exposure to infected animals. Access the confirmed cases and exposure sources for human infections.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services advises those working with animals to take precautions and wear PPE per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance. According to the CDC, the public health risk from HPAI detections remains low.
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