H5N1 Affecting Lactating Dairy Cattle

Overview

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (HPAI) H5N1 virus is an emerging disease in cattle. This virus is the same strain currently impacting wild birds throughout the United States. The virus has been shown to spread from wild birds to dairy cows and there is evidence of some spread from dairy to dairy and from dairy premises to poultry premises. While it is still unclear exactly how the virus is spreading, it is shed in milk at high concentrations; therefore, anything that comes in contact with unpasteurized raw milk, spilled milk, etc. may spread the virus. This includes other animals, clothing, vehicles, and other objects or materials. Both dairy and poultry producers should redouble biosecurity efforts and be vigilant about monitoring for and controlling disease in their herds and flocks.

Clinical Signs:

If your herd experiences clinical signs, contact your veterinarian for a herd health check. If your veterinarian suspects HPAI, they will contact our office at (803) 788-2260 or complete the LPH reportable disease form online, and we will begin an investigation to confirm. If a dairy is confirmed positive, we will work with you and your veterinarian to develop a herd health plan specific to your farm.

Clinical Signs Include:

Decreased milk production
Acute sudden drop in production with some severely impacted cows experiencing thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk
Decreased feed consumption
Abnormal tacky or loose feces
Low-grade fever
Initially, older cows in mid-lactation were the most affected. Now, all ages of dairy cows appear to be affected.
Dry cows, heifers and young-stock appear to be unaffected.

Biosecurity - Preventing Disease:

When HPAI broke out in poultry operations, no one thought this would jump and affect dairy cattle. Increasing dairy operation biosecurity practices is the best way to prevent HPAI from being introduced into the dairy.

The following links will take you to reputable sources with good biosecurity recommendations:

Worker Personal Safety:

Although the risk is low, humans with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds, livestock, or other animals, or in environments contaminated by infected birds, livestock, or other animals, are at greater risk of infection.

Some safety steps for farm workers include:

Wear the correct personal protective equipment (PPE), including an N95 filtering facepiece respirator, eye protection, and gloves. Eye protection should be emphasized since the lone human case of H5N1 in Texas was characterized by conjunctivitis (eye redness and irritation from infection by the virus).
Bring a clean change of clothes; change into them after work before heading home.
Wash hands thoroughly after contact with poultry or livestock.

If you or one of your dairy farm workers develops flu-like symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider. If HPAI infection is suspected, healthcare providers should follow CDC recommendations, including immediate notification to their regional DHEC public health office or the statewide DHEC emergency contact number (1-888-847-0902).

Milk and Lactating Dairy Cattle Interstate Movement:

On April 24, 2024, USDA announced a Federal Order as part of its ongoing efforts to protect the U.S. livestock industry from the threat posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or H5N1) in dairy cattle.

The Federal Order requires mandatory testing prior to the interstate movement of lactating dairy cattle and mandatory reporting of positive influenza A test results in livestock.

USDA is taking these actions to address any risks to animal health, public health, and the safety of our food supply.

H5N1 is a contagious viral disease of domestic poultry and wild birds. HPAI is deadly to domestic poultry and can wipe out entire flocks within a matter of days. HPAI is a threat to the poultry industry, animal health, trade, and the economy.

While HPAI causes less severe illness in cattle than in poultry, the disease remains of concern for all livestock and also for humans who come into contact with infected animals.

SC Lactating Dairy Cows Exporting Guidelines

USDA APHIS Frequently Asked Questions for Interstate Dairy Movement Requirements

APHIS Requirements and Recommendations for State Animal Health Officials, Accredited Veterinarians and Producers

SC Lactating Dairy Cows Exporting Guidelines

Are the asymptomatic dairy cows lactating? ^a
- Yes: See 2.
- No: No movement restrictions. Normal export requirements. ^b
Are the asymptomatic lactating dairy cows moving across state lines?
- Yes: See 3.
- No: No movement restrictions. Normal export requirements. ^b
Are the lactating dairy cows originating from a herd that had at least one animal test positive for Influenza A in the past 30 days?
- Yes: The lactating dairy cows are ineligible for interstate movement.
- No: See 4.
Are the asymptomatic lactating dairy cows moving direct to out-of-state slaughter?
- Yes: Requires an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) or an Alternative Movement Document ^c approved by both state animal health officials.
- No: See 5.
Are the asymptomatic lactating dairy cows moving to an in-state market before moving to direct out-of state slaughter?
- Yes: Requires an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) or an Alternative Movement Document ^c approved by both state animal health officials from the market.
- No: See 6.
For other interstate movements, sample collection and testing must take place within seven days prior to interstate movement. Cows are required to receive negative test results for Influenza A at the Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center (an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network lab) that are recorded on the ICVI accompanying the animals.

Lactating dairy cows are currently in one of the lactation phases (e.g., early, mid, and late) of their current production cycle. Nonlactating dairy cows include heifers, dry cows, and bull calves.
Contact the state of destination or visit InterstateLivestock.com to see if there are additional conditions for entry.
Contact Clemson University Livestock Poultry Health’s Animal Disease Traceability Unit at (803) 726-7805 or (803) 726-7832. All ICVIs may only have official identification. Alternative movement documents may have official identification or back tags.
Contact the Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center at (803) 721-7831 for testing information.

Adapted from the USDA Federal Order Guidance released April 26, 2024, and the USDA Clarification Communication released on April 27, 2024.

SC Lactating Dairy Cows Livestock Market Guidelines

The asymptomatic dairy cattle arriving at a SC livestock market are from Out-of-State:

Are the dairy cattle originating from a location that had at least one animal test positive for Influenza A in the past 30 days?
- Yes: The dairy cattle are ineligible for intrastate and interstate movement and are not allowed in a livestock market.
- No: See 2.
Did the dairy cattle arrive with an ICVI and valid test results, or are the test results on the ICVI within the seven days allowed from date of collection for movement?
- Yes: See 3.
- No: The lactating dairy cattle are ineligible for intrastate and interstate movement and are not allowed in a livestock market.
Are the asymptomatic dairy cows lactating? ^a
- Yes: See 4.
- No: Follow normal livestock traceability in the market.
Are the asymptomatic lactating dairy cows staying within South Carolina (e.g., moving to a farm or in-state slaughter facility)?
- Yes: Follow normal livestock traceability in the market.
- No: See 5.
Are the asymptomatic lactating dairy cows moving to an out-of-state location (e.g., moving to a farm or an out-of-state livestock market)?
- Yes: See 6.
- No: See 7.
Is the test on the ICVI still valid (no more than seven days after the sample collection)?
1. Yes: Requires a copy of the ICVI identifying the animals in the movement being shipped to accompany the movement and be forwarded to both states.
2. No: Milk samples must be collected from lactating dairy cows and tested for Influenza A at the Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center (an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network lab) no more than seven days before the interstate movement. Negative results with the accession number and date of collection must be recorded on the ICVI ^b accompanying the lactating dairy cows.
Are the asymptomatic lactating dairy cows moving directly to an out-of-state slaughter facility from the livestock market?
- Yes: Requires an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) or an Alternative Movement Document ^c to move to the slaughter facility.

The asymptomatic dairy cows arriving at a SC livestock market are from a South Carolina location:

Are the dairy cattle originating from a location that had at least one animal test positive for Influenza A in the past 30 days?
1. Yes: The dairy cattle are ineligible for intrastate and interstate movement and are not allowed in a livestock market.
2. No: See 2.
Are the asymptomatic dairy cows lactating? ^a
- Yes: See 3.
- No: Follow normal livestock traceability in the market.
Are the asymptomatic lactating dairy cows staying within South Carolina?
- Yes: Follow normal livestock traceability in the market.
- No: See 4.
Are the asymptomatic lactating dairy cows moving to an out-of-state location?
- Yes: Milk samples must be collected from lactating dairy
  cows and tested for Influenza A at the Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center (an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network lab) no more than seven days before the interstate movement. Negative results with the accession number and date of collection must be recorded on the ICVI ^b accompanying the lactating dairy cows.
- No: See 5.
Are the asymptomatic lactating dairy cows moving directly to an in-state slaughter facility from the livestock market?
- Yes: Follow normal livestock traceability in the market.
- No: See 6.
Are the asymptomatic lactating dairy cows moving directly to an out-of-state slaughter facility from the livestock market?
- Yes: Requires an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) or an Alternative Movement Document ^c approved by both state animal health officials to move to the slaughter facility.

Lactating dairy cows are currently in one of the lactation phases (e.g., early, mid, and late) of their current production cycle. Nonlactating dairy cows include heifers, dry cows, and bull calves.
All ICVIs may only have official identification. Alternative movement documents may have official identification or back tags.
Contact the state of origin or destination or to see if there are additional conditions for entry and if they accept alternative movement documents. Contact Clemson University Livestock Poultry Health’s Animal Disease Traceability Unit at (803) 726-7805 or (803) 726-7832 to receive an alternative movement document. All alternative movement documents and ICVIs must have the statement - “The cattle are both free from and have not been exposed to a known contagious and infectious disease.”
Contact the Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center at (803) 721-7831 for testing information.

Adapted from the USDA Federal Order Guidance released April 26, 2024, and the USDA Clarification Communication released on April 27, 2024.

HPAI Testing: Milk Collection Guidelines

Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center (CVDC) is approved to test dairy milk samples for HPAI testing. It is critical that the samples are submitted to the laboratory appropriately packed with complete paperwork for quick turnaround times. Please follow the instructions below for efficient sample accessioning and testing –

Samples must be collected by or under direct supervision of an accredited veterinarian, or a sample collector approved by the State Animal Health Official.
Collect milk/udder secretions from individual cows. Ensure each quarter is sampled. Combine milk from each quarter into one sample and submit between 3-10 ml per cow.
- Use clean milk tubes or red-top tubes with no additives to submit milk and appropriately label the tubes.
- You may pick up clean, empty 15 ml tubes from the laboratory.
Include properly completed HPAI Livestock Submission Form along with the sample.
- Make sure to complete the reason for testing and Premises ID.
- Include all animal IDs.
For groups/lots of 30 or fewer animals moving interstate, all animals being moved must be tested. If more than 30 animals are moving interstate, then only 30 animals total must be tested.
Sample collection and testing must occur no more than seven (7) days before interstate movement.
For shipping, place the labeled tube samples in a Ziplock bag and place the bag(s) in a Styrofoam container with absorbent material and ice packs.
Ship [overnight (Monday-Thursday)] or drop off samples: 500 Clemson Road, Columbia, SC – 29229.
CVDC Sample receiving hours: M-F 8:00 AM – 6:30PM, Sat 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Closed on Sunday and State Holidays.
If you are not shipping the milk samples immediately, store them at refrigerated temperatures. Do not freeze them unless you can store them at -80^oC.
You may request FedEx billable stamps from the laboratory ahead of time by calling 803-726-7831.
Results will be reported within three (3) calendar days after receipt of the samples.
USDA APHIS will reimburse the testing for interstate movement, clinical cases, herd status or any contact farm testing. The testing will be done at no cost to the producer.
Currently, USDA APHIS is not paying for sample collection and shipping.
USDA is validating a bulk tank test. New guidance will be added when this is available.
Don't hesitate to contact the laboratory at 803-721-7831 for assistance.