H5N1 testing rescinded for cattle moving from unaffected states

MADISON, Wis. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced April 27 that HPAI H5N1 testing will no longer be required for the movement of lactating dairy cattle from states with an unaffected state status under the National Milk Testing Strategy.

Unaffected state status is gained through a state’s participation in the NMTS. Currently, only two states — Idaho and California — are classified as affected states, with the most recent detection of H5N1 in lactating dairy cattle being published April 13, in Idaho. Four states, including Florida, North Carolina, North Dakota and Oregon, are listed as provisionally unaffected as they are not participating in the NMTS.

Continued testing and surveillance activities are required of states to maintain their unaffected state status under the NMTS.

On May 1, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection issued a press release notifying dairy producers and veterinarians of the updated USDA guidance, sharing that Wisconsin currently meets the criteria for unaffected state status through ongoing surveillance and testing activities conducted under the NMTS. As a result, lactating dairy cattle leaving the state are not currently required to have pre-movement testing done.

In June 2024, DATCP issued a state order, in addition to the federal order, requiring testing of lactating dairy cattle before being exhibited at fairs and shows within the state. Effective May 1, that order has been rescinded and testing will no longer be required for lactating dairy cows at fairs and shows.

Dr. Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, said the removal of testing for movement of lactating dairy cattle between states with unaffected state status and for show cattle within the state does not equate to the removal of the need for vigilance.

“We’re still seeing the B-3.13 strain of the virus circulating in Idaho and California,” Poulsen said. “It’s at a low level, but it’s still there. My concern is … what is the risk to Wisconsin? I’m interested in the national picture, but really my concern is for Wisconsin.”

Poulsen said prior to the USDA order April 27, discussion was already taking place within the state for what compliance with the NMTS would look like in the future, with the anticipated designation of unaffected state status, which was given to the state April 30.

“As the NMTS changes, we can’t test every herd, every week or month, indefinitely,” Poulsen said. “It’s too expensive and it’s not a good use of resources.”

With unaffected state status, Poulsen said for now, testing will decrease to every other month in the state. However, the future is uncertain.

“We’re not really getting clear guidance from the USDA about what this looks like, two or three years from now, or even during the next migration season in the fall,” Poulsen said. “I don’t think they have good answers for that. Not that they’re not thinking about it, but we just don’t have a strong plan in place for testing, moving forward.”

When it comes to purchasing dairy cattle to bring into a herd, Poulsen said producers need to weigh their own risks regarding testing.

“It’s a good biosecurity practice to test,” Poulsen said. “There is a cost involved in collecting the sample, but no cost to testing. Let’s say I have a 1,000-cow dairy and want to expand to 1,500 cows. Bringing those animals in is probably low risk, but it’s not zero.”

Poulsen cited a case where the H5N1 virus spread to Nebraska, with the potential to spread to the East Coast, from animals that came out of California.

“You need to be informed about all the risks, and I think talking to your veterinarian is pretty critical,” Poulsen said. “Knowing where those animals are coming from is critical. When in doubt, I would test. We have two really good tests available — a (polymerase chain reaction) and an antibody test, and a ton of expertise to be able to tell you what those tests mean if we see a detection.”

Poulsen said he encourages increased biosecurity for anyone involved with animal agriculture, not only in response to H5N1, but to a host of other vectors as well, equating testing to investing in a good insurance plan.

“Considering the value of these animals, I wouldn’t limit my testing considerations to H5N1 only,” Poulsen said. “I could give a list of four or five other things we should be thinking about, with (bovine viral diarrhea) being one of the top ones on my list. We could prevent a problem that could ultimately cost tens of thousands of dollars with some biosecurity and a simple, relatively inexpensive test.”

With the fair and show season getting underway in Wisconsin, Poulsen reiterated the importance of vigilance in adhering to biosecurity measures to all involved.

“My advice to anyone going to a local or state fair or to a national show would be to keep your eyes open as some requirements may change frequently in the near future,” Poulsen said. “Talk to your veterinarian about the risks. If there’s a question about testing requirements, call the state department of agriculture in the state where the show or sale is — you need to meet the requirements of the destination state.”

Enhanced biosecurity is paramount, not only to protect individual dairy farmers but the industry as a whole, Poulsen said.

“If you let your guard down in terms of biosecurity, it can have long-lasting repercussions,” Poulsen said. “Poultry and swine learned that lesson a long time ago, because they had to. Once a pig or chicken gets sick, they’re dead. Cows are like walking tanks; they can handle a lot. With margins as tight as they are, it’s sometimes hard to convince people of the value of biosecurity — until they deal with those repercussions.”