USDA Announces New Actions on HPAI (H5N1)

National Landscape

In the past 30 days, the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed the presence of HPAI (H5N1) in 273 dairy herds in two states. No detections of HPAI (H5N1) have been found in Wisconsin cattle or poultry in the last 30 days.

Update

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the start of its National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS), which builds on measures taken by USDA and federal and state partners since highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in dairy cattle was first detected in March 2024. Access the USDA press release announcing the National Milk Testing Strategy.

USDA issued a new Federal Order, as well as accompanying guidance, requiring that raw (unpasteurized) milk samples nationwide be collected and shared with USDA for testing. This new guidance from USDA will facilitate comprehensive H5N1 surveillance of the nation’s milk supply and dairy herds. Access the new Federal Order. The existing Federal Order, issued on April 24, remains in effect.

Over the past several weeks, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has been working with USDA to ask questions about forthcoming testing. DATCP is reviewing the information published by USDA today and plans to attend the informational sessions available for state animal health officials and state dairy regulators next week. DATCP hopes to learn additional details about the Federal Order and testing plan in the coming days and will share additional information as it becomes available.

Biosecurity and Monitoring

• Producers should continue to enhance biosecurity and monitor disease in their herds.
  • Access resources for cattle, poultry, and swine biosecurity practices.
• Report herds with unexplained symptoms to DATCP at (608) 224-4872 (business hours) or (800) 943-0003 (after hours and weekends).

December 6, 2024 Federal Order

• Requirements
  • Raw Milk Samples: Collection and sharing with USDA for testing.
  • Traceback of Positive Herds: Herd owners must provide epidemiological information.
  • Reporting: Private labs, National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) labs, and state veterinarians must report positive results.
• Stages of NMTS Implementation:
  • Stage 1: Nationwide testing of milk silos at dairy processing facilities.
  • Stage 2: State-specific surveillance to determine state status.
  • Stage 3: Rapid response measures in herds with detections.
  • Stage 4: Ongoing sampling to ensure absence of H5N1 in unaffected states.
  • Stage 5: Long-term testing to demonstrate freedom from H5N1 in the U.S. dairy cattle.

• Access the December 6, 2024 Federal Order.
• Access the National Milk Testing Strategy Stage Overview.
• Access the federal guidance on the December 6, 2024 Federal Order.

Per USDA’s announcement, the following six states will be included in the first round of states brought into the program for testing: California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.

April 24, 2024 Federal Order 

• The April 24, 2024 Federal Order remains in effect.
• Lactating dairy cattle must test negative for Influenza A virus at a National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) lab before interstate movement.
• A subset of 30 cows must be tested for groups moving together.
• Access the April 24, 2024 Federal Order.
• Access the federal guidance.

Wisconsin Requirements

• Lactating dairy cattle must test negative for Influenza A virus before moving to fairs or exhibitions.
• Access the Wisconsin Cattle Testing Order.
• Access the FAQ.

Food Safety

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and USDA continue to emphasize that the commercial milk supply is safe because of the pasteurization process.
• USDA is also confident that the meat supply is safe.

Human Health Precautions

• Human cases of H5N1 have been reported following exposure to dairy cattle.
  • Access the confirmed cases and exposure sources for human infections.
• The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) advises those working with animals to take precautions and wear PPE per CDC guidance.
  • Request PPE from Wisconsin DHS medical stockpile.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the public health risk from H5N1 detections remains low.

Resources:

• DATCP HPAI (H5N1) in Dairy Cattle
• USDA APHIS Webpage on HPAI H5N1
• USDA APHIS Webpage on H5N1 Testing
• April 24, 2024 USDA Federal Order
• December 6, 2024 USDA Federal Order
• USDA Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP)
• USDA Expanded Support for Affected and Unaffected Producers
• USDA Dairy Herd Status Program