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HPAI Update from your Bovine Issues Working Group
Dear Dairy Producers,
We wanted to reach out and see how you're doing with the influx of information and challenging news related to the identification of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in U.S. dairy cattle. We're here to break down what's happening and provide perspective. With Wednesday’s announcements from FDA and USDA, the Bovine Issues Working Group (BIWG) has been hard at work coordinating with your State Veterinarian, Dr. Amber Itle, to best understand how mandatory interstate movement testing will be executed in Washington State and how it may affect your businesses now, and moving forward. Your first step when needing to move lactating dairy cattle out of state will be to contact your local veterinarian to schedule testing and CVI inspection.
Here's what you need to know about the new USDA Order:
What: Prior to interstate movement, lactating dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory, in Washington that’s the WADDL Lab at WSU.
For groups/lots of 30 or fewer animals moving interstate, all animals being moved must be tested. If more than 30 animals are moving interstate, then only 30 animals total must be tested.
*Nonclinical lactating dairy cattle moving interstate direct to slaughter are not required to have a premovement test but must move on a certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation of movement approved by state animal health officials.
Why: To continue to monitor and understand the extent of this virus and reduce the risk of further disseminating HPAI H5N1 virus, resulting in greater threats to poultry and livestock.
When: Beginning Monday, April 29, 2024. Sample collection and testing must take place no more than seven (7) days prior to interstate movement. Plan ahead and work with your veterinarian to ensure you have met the requirements and have trucks lined up for timely movement.
Where: All states.
Who: USDA-APHIS has mandated testing of all lactating dairy cattle moving out of their state of origin. Samples are to be collected by an accredited veterinarian, a state-licensed veterinarian, or a sample collector approved by the appropriate state animal health official.
What animals are exempt from pre-movement testing?
Non-lactating dairy cows, springers, bull calves, heifers and all beef breed cattle of any class are exempt for interstate movement (between states).
All unaffected dairy and beef cattle that move intrastate (within the state) of Washington are exempt from testing.
What happens if a test result is positive?
- Interstate movement of animals infected with HPAI is prohibited. Animals that test positive cannot move for 30 days. Clinical lactating dairy cattle are ineligible for interstate movement or movement to slaughter.
- Lactating dairy cattle from herds that have tested positive for Influenza A will be under quarantine are not eligible for interstate movement for 30 days from the most recent collection of any sample that tests positive from any individual animal in the herd. After the 30-day period, animals must be tested again for movement.
- All private and NAHLN Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A detection diagnostic results in livestock to USDA APHIS.
- Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive will be required to provide USDA-APHIS with epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing.
Across the country, we see affected cows recover after supported care with little to no associated mortality. It is important to emphasize the importance biosecurity plays in limiting disease spread for all livestock and poultry. And while evidence suggests minimal threat to human health, USDA suggests these resources to protect farm workers.
In the meantime, the BIWG will continue to monitor consumer and trade media and correct misinformation in the media to consumers and industry.
We understand that this may be a stressful time for you, your family, and your business. The BIWG and our member organizations are here to support you and provide information and assistance. If you need help, we are here to listen, provide feedback, and anything else you may need.
Sincerely,
Your Bovine Issues Working Group
The Bovine Issues Working Group includes the Washington State Beef Commission, Washington State Dairy Products Commission, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington Cattlemen’s Association, Washington State Dairy Federation, Washington Cattle Feeders Association, Cattle Producers of Washington, and Washington Farm Bureau working in collaboration with Washington State University, Washington Department of Health and industry stakeholders.
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