The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is monitoring the direction of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus in dairy cattle. HPAI has been detected in lactating dairy cattle in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Michigan, and Idaho.
At this time, there have been no reported detections of HPAI in Nebraska dairy cattle and other livestock. In an effort to protect Nebraska’s dairy herd, the NDA is issuing an import order effective immediately. The importation order will require all breeding female dairy cattle entering Nebraska to obtain a permit issued by NDA before entry.
“Animal health and disease control are essential to the livestock industry and health of Nebraska’s economy,” says NDA director Sherry Vinton. “NDA is closely monitoring this HPAI illness in livestock.” She also says the department will do what’s right to advocate for Nebraska producers, protect the health of Nebraska livestock, and minimize the impact HPAI will have in the state.