Nebraska confirms first case of HPAI in dairy herd

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture have confirmed the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a Nebraska dairy herd. The confirmation came after routine testing of milk samples required under the USDA’s April 2024 Federal Order.

This makes Nebraska the 17th state to see cases of HPAI in cattle since the outbreak began in March 2024, though only a handful of states have reported cases this year. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is now working with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture on additional testing and on-farm investigations to understand the situation and limit further spread.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture reports the affected herd is in central Nebraska and is now under quarantine. Testing by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories shows the virus strain closely matches recent cases found in California. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that the multistate outbreak was first identified in late March.

“With supportive care, dairy cattle recover with little to no mortality associated with the disease,” the ag department release states.

Officials stress that this finding does not change USDA’s HPAI eradication strategy. Strong biosecurity remains the number one line of defense — especially with fall migratory bird season approaching. Producers are urged to watch for unusual illness in livestock or wildlife and report it immediately to their state veterinarian.

The Food and Drug Administration indicates that pasteurization effectively inactivates the H5N1 virus, and milk from affected cows is being destroyed rather than entering the food chain. Milk available on store shelves remains safe and comes only from healthy animals.

The CDC continues to note that the risk to the general public is low, but workers in close contact with infected animals should take recommended precautions.