USDA Confirms More H5N1 Detections in Dairy Herds and Cats

By Lisa Schnirring

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed H5N1 avian influenza in three more dairy herds, two in Colorado and one in Iowa, raising its number of affected herds to 129 in 12 states. 

In related developments, Iowa yesterday became the latest state to announce new testing requirements for dairy cattle participating in state exhibitions and fairs. The order goes into effect on July 1.

In an update announcing the testing requirement, the state's agriculture secretary Mike Naig reiterated a request for USDA support for affected farms and thanked Iowa farmers for their cooperation with testing and research efforts. Officials said the USDA has authorized more epidemiological strike teams to help with investigations on affected poultry and dairy farms. 

More detections in cats, other mammals, wild birds

APHIS today added reports of nine more H5N1 detections in mammals across four states, of which five were domestic cats. The infected cats were from Minnesota (Kandiyohi County) and Texas (Hartley County). Other detections involved raccoons from Michigan and New Mexico, a striped skunk for New Mexico, and a red fox from Minnesota.

The group also added eight more detections in wild birds, including five bald eagles from Iowa, New Jersey, and Virginia and three agency-harvested birds from New Mexico.