Nevada Reports Its First Avian Flu Detection in Dairy Cattle as Virus Hits Iowa Layer Farm

By Lisa Schnirring

The Nevada Department of Agriculture on December 6 reported the state's first avian flu detection in dairy cattle, which involved a herd in Nye County, located northwest of Las Vegas.

Since H5N1 was first detected in US dairy cows in March, the virus has now infected herds in 16 states.

Though Nye County borders California, the area isn't adjacent to the Central Valley epicenter of California's ongoing outbreaks in dairy cattle. 

According to the Nevada Dairy Farmers and Dairy Council of Nevada, a trade group, that state has just over 20 dairy farms, which range from 500 to more than 32,000 cows. Nationally, Nevada ranks 32nd in milk production. 

More poultry outbreaks in 3 states

In poultry developments, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship on December 6 reported its first outbreak since June, which involves a commercial layer farm in Sioux County in the northwestern corner of the state. Iowa is the nation's top egg-producing state, according to the Iowa Egg Council.

Also, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed two more poultry outbreaks in separate states. One involves a commercial farm in California's Stanislaus County that has 44,000 birds and the other a backyard flock in Colorado's Pitkin County.