Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Cattle:
- IS preventable and well-managed with strong biosecurity measures in place.
- IS contagious between cattle and poultry, so extra care must be taken on farms with both species.
- IS NOT actually highly pathogenic or deadly in dairy cattle, despite its name.
- IS NOT of concern in pasteurized milk at this time.
- IS NOT dangerous to the food supply.
Resources for Dairy Cattle Producers and Production Partners
The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is currently developing Ohio-specific guidance for dairy industry producers, veterinarians, stakeholders, milk haulers, and processors. Visit ODA's Dairy Cattle page regularly for up-to-date information.
This includes a high-level view of the federal order regarding testing and reporting of HPAI in dairy cattle.
Where is this disease currently being reported in dairy cattle? Visit this USDA site for current detections of HPAI in livestock, as well as records of previous notifications about this outbreak of HPAI.
Funding to mitigate risks, implement biosecurity, testing, etc. is described in the factsheet by USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services: USDA, HHS Announce New Actions to Reduce Impact and Spread of H5N1
Additional resources:
- Dairy Farm Biosecurity Webinar and what we currently know as of April 25, 2024 on HPAI in dairy cattle (5 parts; 1.5 hr program)
- Why we care about H5N1 in the dairy industry and understanding influenza A (part 1)
- Why we need biosecurity and how diseases are spread (part 2)
- Implementing biosecurity practices on the farm in practical ways (part 3)
- Biosecurity plans: where do you start (part 4)
- Transportation updates as of 4/25 and question and answer session (part 5)