HPAI H5N1 Virus in Dairy Cattle – What We Know

In March 2024, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1), commonly referred to as bird flu, was confirmed in domestic U.S. livestock for the first time in a dairy operation in Texas. Since then, the virus has spread to 1,047 dairy operations across 17 states, raising widespread uncertainty throughout the dairy and livestock markets. Industry participants have raised concerns about the outbreak's potential impact on consumer perception and demand for dairy and meat products, though government agencies reiterate that the national food supply remains safe. Expana is closely monitoring the situation...

Penn State Tests Dairy Herd for Bird Flu in Support of State Surveillance Effort

Animal health experts in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have announced that — out of an abundance of caution — they will test the University’s dairy herd for highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, under a voluntary state testing program.

The announcement comes amidst an outbreak of bird flu that has affected dairy cattle in more than a dozen states since March. As of July 19, the virus had not been found in Pennsylvania dairy herds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state animal...

Brazil Reports First Outbreak of Newcastle Disease in Poultry Since 2006

Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) has reported an outbreak of Newcastle disease in a commercial poultry flock in the municipality of Anta Gorda, Rio Grande do Sul state.

MAPA said the poultry farm was immediately quarantined. All birds will be culled, the farm disinfected, and a complementary investigation will also be carried out within a 10 km radius around the area where the outbreak occurred, in accordance with the national Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Contingency Plan...

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Wyoming Dairy Herd

The Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA) have received confirmation from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) of the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy cattle herd in Wyoming. The detection was first identified in samples received by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in a dairy farm in Wyoming.

The Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA) have received confirmation...

MDARD: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Three New Dairy Herds

Today, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring announced the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in additional dairy herds from Clinton, Gratiot, and Ionia counties. Testing through the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory detected this case. Samples have been sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories for additional confirmatory testing.

Regardless of species, biosecurity remains the best tool available to combat HPAI. On May 1, 2024, Director Boring issued the Determination of Extraordinary Emergency HPAI Risk Reduction...

MDARD: Designates Two Bovine Tuberculosis Testing Areas

Today, due to the detection of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in wild deer from Benzie, Crawford, and Otsego counties during the 2023 deer hunting season, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Dr. Tim Boring has designated two bovine TB testing areas. One area includes specific portions of Benzie and Manistee counties, and the other includes portions of Crawford and Otsego counties. Testing all the cattle and bison herds within these areas will help to protect animal health, public health, and market access for Michigan's cattle, meat, and milk products...

Herbruck's Poultry Ranch Laying Off About 400 Staff in Michigan Due to Bird Flu

Herbruck's Poultry Ranch is temporarily laying off about 400 employees in Michigan due to the spread of bird flu.

The company's chief human resources officer Stephanie Kempa said the virus impacted the company's hen population at some farms in Ionia County.

"The company plans to rehire many positions as hen replenishing and egg production increases," Kempa said in a letter to the state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.