WASHINGTON — Bird flu has been confirmed in Indiana dairy cattle for the first time, adding another state to the livestock outbreak that began in March 2024.
USDA announced the finding Nov. 2 after its National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed H5N1 in an Indiana dairy herd. Testing identified genotype B3.13.
The Indiana State Board of Animal Health’s dairy dashboard lists two confirmed herds, both dated Nov. 2. Both are under quarantine and have active surveillance zones.
The federal announcement describes a detection through routine sampling under the National Milk Testing Strategy, rather than testing conducted before cattle movement.
USDA says dairy cattle in 21 states have been infected since the outbreak began. Federal and Indiana animal health officials are conducting farm investigations, additional testing and tracing to understand the detection and prevent further spread.
USDA says commercial pasteurized milk remains safe. Pasteurization inactivates the virus, and milk from affected animals is diverted from commercial milk tanks or destroyed.
The agency says the public health risk remains low, although people working with infected animals face a greater exposure risk.
Dairy producers are urged to strengthen biosecurity and immediately report sick livestock or unusual wildlife deaths to their state veterinarian.
File photo by Daniel Quiceno M via Unsplash. The photograph does not depict an affected Indiana herd.
Leave a Reply