WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Wed., April 24 that actions are being taken to prevent the spread of the H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) in livestock.
Among the actions being taken is the requirement for dairy cattle to test negatively for the virus before being moved across state lines.
The test must be approved by an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory. Owners of cattle that test positive prior to interstate movement have to provide epidemiological information and animal movement tracing to the USDA.
Additionally, labs must report detections of bird flu to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
These measures announced in a Federal Order by APHIS go into effect Mon., April 29.
USDA reports that APHIS microbiologists found on April 16 that a shift in a bird flu sample from a cow in Kansas could indicate that the virus has an adaptation to mammals. Spread between cows of the same herd and cows to poultry was also found.
Despite the actions taken, USDA says no changes to the virus has been found that would make it more transmissible to humans. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) believes that public risk for the bird flu is low.
