Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPIA)

Protect Your Herd – This is Serious!

A note from Anja Raudabaugh, CEO of Western United Dairies

For the first time, the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza A (HPAI)/H5N1 virus is affecting dairy cattle across the United States. Federal and state agencies are moving quickly to conduct additional testing for the virus, including any other multi-factorial components of the disease event in dairy cattle. Viral genomic sequencing is being conducted at present, but the vector for this pathogen is not precisely known, although birds are suspected. There are no known cases in California herds at this time. Epidemiologic evidence strongly suggests cow-to-cow transmission at present. CDQAP offers more information here.

Beef and dairy products are safe for consumers because pasteurization is effective at killing the virus.

This situation is evolving and changing. Guidance and directives will LIKELY CHANGE as more information is learned. USDA and Federal and State partners will continue to share additional updates as soon as information becomes available.

In addition to the USDA guidance document (see page 3), the following slides are exceeding helpful from a herd management perspective and are being provided by Select Milk Producers, Quality Control Veterinarian, Dr. Brandon Treichler, DVM.

WUD is requesting that the State of California use its authority to ban all cattle coming into California from HPIA-infected states until further notice.