Is Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu Confirmed in Nebraska Dairy Herd?

Los Angeles, Sep 16 (NationPress) The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy cattle herd located in Nebraska.

In a statement released on Monday, the USDA reported that the identified strain is H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13. This case was uncovered during state-led tracing and investigations following initial findings from pre-movement surveillance milk samples, which are mandated under a federal order issued by the USDA in April 2024.

This incident marks the first recorded case of HPAI in cattle within Nebraska. Since the outbreak began in March 2024, dairy cattle infections have been documented across 17 states; however, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has indicated that cases have largely remained limited to a few states this year.

APHIS stated that it is collaborating closely with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to carry out further on-farm investigations, testing, and the collection of additional epidemiological data to enhance understanding of this finding and to mitigate the spread of the disease. The agency has also urged all dairy farms to bolster their biosecurity protocols, especially with the fall migratory bird season on the horizon.

The USDA reassured consumers that there are no health risks associated with this situation and that the safety of the commercial milk supply remains intact, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has affirmed that pasteurization effectively inactivates H5N1, thus safeguarding the safety of pasteurized milk products.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that the H5N1 viruses present in birds and US dairy cattle are considered to pose a low risk to the general public in the United States. However, individuals with occupational or recreational exposure to infected birds or mammals should take necessary precautions.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a highly contagious transboundary disease with zoonotic potential, affecting both animal and human health. It can lead to varied clinical symptoms and high mortality rates among wild and domestic avian populations. The ongoing outbreaks of H5 AI have posed significant challenges globally, resulting in the loss of rare and vital bird species, alongside considerable social and economic repercussions, including livelihood losses and egg shortages.

The spread of HPAI puts pressure on poultry-related enterprises, necessitating measures such as culling and movement restrictions to control the virus, which can disrupt poultry product trade. The ongoing crisis underscores the critical need for enhanced control measures to prevent spillover and viral mutations that could trigger a global pandemic. HPAI can also infect mammals and humans, presenting serious public health concerns. Infected mammals include domestic cats, cattle, and wild animals such as foxes and seals, with rare human cases reported among individuals who have had close contact with infected poultry or their environments.