H5N1 (Avian Influenza) and Dairy Cattle

Cases of H5N1 (avian influenza) in dairy cattle continue to be reported across the U.S.

Dairy farmers should monitor their herd and contact their veterinarian immediately if cows appear sick. The Board will report any new Minnesota detections and updates on cow cases in the state on its website. 

For the latest on national H5N1 detection in dairy cattle, visit the USDA website. For the latest in milk and dairy product safety efforts, visit the FDA website.

Minnesota agricultural and animal health officials are monitoring this developing situation and are in contact with industry officials.

Testing Requirements for Dairy Cows Before Events

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has announced testing requirements for lactating dairy cows effective Tuesday, June 18. All lactating (currently producing milk) dairy cows must have both a negative H5N1 test result and Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) to attend any exhibition in Minnesota. The requirements are effective until December 31, 2024. You can find more information on the Board of Animal Health's website.

Testing for Interstate Movement and Reporting Requirements

The USDA announced a Federal Order, effective Monday, April 29, 2024, requiring testing for, and reporting of, H5N1 in certain dairy cattle. Review the full breakdown of the order on the USDA website. Here’s the bulleted version of the Federal Order highlights:

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 interstate must adhere to conditions specified by APHIS.
• As will be described in forthcoming guidance, these steps will be immediately required for lactating dairy cattle, while these requirements for other classes of dairy cattle will be based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile.

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 USDA APHIS.
• Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A serology diagnostic results in livestock to USDA APHIS.

Review the Frequently Asked Questions on the Federal Order.

Review the official USDA guidance on the Federal Order.

Federal Support

USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have announced actions aimed at reducing the impact and spread of H5N1. The actions aim to reduce the impact of H5N1 on affected premises and producers, increase testing and screening and testing capacity, and other measures. On May 23, USDA expanded some of these support options to include dairy producers whose herds have not tested positive for H5N1. Read more about these options for producers.

The USDA announced on May 30 $824 Million in new funding to protect livestock health. The funding will support anticipated diagnostics, field response activities, pre-movement testing requirements, other necessary surveillance and control activities, surveillance in wildlife, and more.

Producers can receive financial support from USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Start the process by filling out a request form on the Minnesota Board of Animal Health's website.

The USDA will begin accepting applications starting on Monday, July 1 through its updated Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) to provide financial assistance to eligible dairy producers who incur milk losses due to H5N1 infection in their dairy herds. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) expanded ELAP through the rule-making process to assist with a portion of financial losses resulting from reduced milk production when cattle are removed from commercial milking in dairy herds having a confirmed positive H5N1 test. Positive test results must be confirmed through the USDA’ APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories. To apply, producers should contact the FSA at their local USDA Service Center.

The USDA has also announced the launch of the HPAI Dairy Herd Status Program. The program offers dairy producers more options to monitor the health of their herds and move cows interstate while further reducing H5N1 virus spread, increasing surveillance and expanding knowledge of the disease, and supporting an overall national program to reduce the risk of H5N1 in dairy herds.

Farm Biosecurity

Dairy producers are encouraged to consider heightened biosecurity measures such as those described in the Secure Milk Supply Plan. 

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health notes some important biosecurity points:

• Separate all incoming animals for 21-30 days and screen for signs of disease before allowing them into your herd.
• Milk imported animals last.
• Use a Line of Separation and specific access points to restrict staff or visitors to certain areas on the farm.
• Create a clean/dirty line at barn or parlor entries where staff or visitors can change into barn specific footwear or clothing and clean and disinfect (This point is especially important if staff travel between different locations).
• Report clinical signs or suspected illnesses to your veterinarian immediately.
• Know where you source your feed and keep rodents and wildlife away from stored feed. Keep feed covered or contained and clean any feed spills immediately.
• Provide clean water and keep wildlife away from troughs.

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has developed biosecurity and milk handling recommendations for state animal health officials, accredited veterinarians, and producers.

Milk & Dairy Product Safety

There continues to be no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply because products are pasteurized before entering the market. Pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. Pasteurization is required for any milk entering commerce for human consumption.

Also, dairies are required to send only milk from healthy animals into processing for human consumption. Because milk from impacted animals looks abnormal, it is discarded and does not enter the human food supply.

People should not prepare or eat uncooked or undercooked food, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk or raw cheeses, from animals with suspected or confirmed H5N1 virus infection. Raw milk or unpasteurized dairy products may contain harmful bacteria or viruses and can cause illness. The MDA will not allow sales of raw milk direct to consumers from farms whose herds are confirmed infected. This milk would be considered adulterated under MINN. STAT. 32D.19.

The FDA has information on the safety of the milk supply and dairy products.

Farm Worker Safety

The CDC considers the human health risk of H5N1 for the general public low. However, people with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals (including livestock), or to an environment contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at greater risk of infection. The CDC has interim recommendations for prevention, monitoring, and public health investigations of HPAI viruses.

USDA APHIS has developed recommendations for HPAI in livestock for workers. The CDC has developed recommendations for worker protection and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to reduce exposure to HPAI.

Farmers can request PPE from the Minnesota Department of Health.

Farm Stress and Mental Health

The MDA has resources and programs available to farmers experiencing stress and metal health concerns. Find out more information on our Coping with Farm and Rural Stress web page. 

H5N1 in Dairy FAQ