FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Shelton Dodson
Director of Public Affairs, New Mexico Department of Agriculture
sdodson@nmda.nmsu.edu
Office: 575-646-2804
Cell: 575-339-5011
April 26, 2024
USDA issues new testing requirements for dairy cattle amid bird flu outbreak
Restrictions on interstate movement of dairy cattle take effect April 29
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued new mandates aimed at limiting the spread of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (HPAI) H5N1 virus recently discovered in some dairy cattle, including in New Mexico.
HPAI is a contagious viral disease, typically found in wild birds, and is highly fatal to domestic poultry. While HPAI causes less severe illness in dairy cattle, the disease remains a concern for livestock and humans who come into contact with infected animals.
Beginning Monday, April 29, 2024 a Federal Order will be enacted to monitor and better understand the extent of the HPAI virus and continue efforts to reduce its spread. The Federal Order will require the following measures:
Mandatory Testing for Interstate Movement of Dairy Cattle
- Prior to interstate movement, dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory;
- Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive for interstate movement will be required to provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing;
- Dairy cattle moving between states must meet condition criteria specified by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
These steps are required immediately for lactating dairy cattle. Requirements for other classes of dairy cattle will be based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk. For complete interstate movement requirements, visit the APHIS website.
Mandatory Reporting
- Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A nucleic acid detection diagnostic results (e.g. PCR or genetic sequencing) in livestock to APHIS;
- Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positing Influenza A serology diagnostic results in livestock to APHIS.
Samples submitted to an approved NAHLN laboratory are typically returned in one to three days. APHIS will cover the cost of mandatory testing at all NAHLN laboratories.
As of April 25, USDA has confirmed the presence of HPAI at 33 dairy cattle facilities in eight states, including New Mexico. USDA has also confirmed that the same HPAI virus genotype detected in dairy cattle has also been found at eight poultry facilities in five states, including in New Mexico.
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture, the New Mexico Livestock Board, the New Mexico Department of Health – working in conjunction with other state and federal agencies and members of the agriculture industry –activated the New Mexico Agriculture and Livestock Incident Response Team (NM-ALIRT) in March. To date, NM-ALIRT remains active and is diligently working with all impacted parties.
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