News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — An illness spreading among dairy cows in some states has not yet been detected in Indiana, according to state officials, but producers should be on the lookout.

The illness has been seen among primarily older dairy cows in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico, causing decreased lactation, low appetite and other symptoms.

Federal officials said the commercial milk supply remains safe because of federal animal health requirements and pasteurization.

Wild migratory birds are believed to be the source of infection.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as state veterinary and public health officials, have been investigating and testing for highly pathogenic avian influenza, referred to as “HPAI.”

As of Monday, March 25, unpasteurized, clinical samples of milk from sick cattle collected from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas, as well as an oropharyngeal swab from another dairy in Texas, have tested positive for HPAI. Additional testing was initiated on Friday, March 22, and over the weekend because farms have also reported finding dead wild birds on their properties.

Based on findings from Texas, the detections appear to have been introduced by wild birds. Initial testing by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories has not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans, which would indicate that the current risk to the public remains low.

Federal and state agencies are moving to conduct additional testing for highly pathogenic avian influenza, as well as viral genome sequencing, to better understand the situation, including characterization of the HPAI strain or strains associated with these detections.

At this stage, there is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health, federal officials said. Dairies are required to send only milk from healthy animals into processing for human consumption; milk from affected animals is being diverted or destroyed so that it does not enter the food supply. In addition, pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. Pasteurization is required for any milk entering interstate commerce.

Federal agencies are also working with state and industry partners to encourage farmers and veterinarians to report cattle illnesses quickly to monitor potential additional cases and minimize the impact to farmers, consumers and other animals. For the dairies whose herds are exhibiting symptoms, on average about 10% of each affected herd appears to be impacted, with little to no associated mortality reported among the animals. Milk loss resulting from symptomatic cattle to date is too limited to have a major impact on supply and there should be no impact on the price of milk or other dairy products, according to a news release.

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health notes that while no cases have been identified in Indiana, any Hoosier cattle owner who notices clinical signs consistent with the illness should contact their veterinarian for evaluation and diagnostics. Producers are encouraged to practice good biosecurity when moving on/off and between farms.

This is an evolving situation, and USDA and federal and state partners will share additional updates as information becomes available. More information on biosecurity measures can be found here.