HPAI and Dairy Herds: What You Need to Know
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HPAI In Dairy Cattle Detections
USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspecition Service (APHIS) has confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in dairy herds in California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, South Dakota, North Carolina, Colorado and Ohio. A single case of HPAI in a human has been confirmed in Texas, however, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has assessed the public risk as low.
What Is Being Done In Maryland?
The Maryland Department of Agriculture is actively working with state and federal partners to monitor and respond to the situation. Farms and individuals involved in animal farming are encouraged to stay alert, become familar with the signs of HPAI in poultry and cattle and take measures to protect their flocks and herds.
On
April 24, 2024, the USDA issued a Federal order requiring testing for and reporting of
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in livestock
On
April 30, 2024 MDA Secretary Kevin Atticks signed an amended
order restricting the movement of dairy cattle into Maryland from states with confirmed cases of HPAI in dairy herds.
On
December 31, 2024 MDA Secretary Kevin Atticks and Maryland Department of Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott signed a joint
order governing mandatory testing of milk from Maryland dairy farms.
For more information about the December 31, 2024 order and how this may affect your farm please review this FAQ document.
Milk Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has assured consumers that the milk supply is safe. 
All milk products undergo pasteurization before reaching the market, and dairies are required to send only milk from healthy animals for human consumption. The FDA strongly recommends heat treatment of milk from cows showing signs of illness or exposed to avian influenza before feeding it to calves.
FAQ's
1. Is it safe to drink milk during the avian influenza outbreak? YES. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration assures the safety of the milk supply through pasteurization and strict regulations.
2. How can I protect my poultry and livestock from avian influenza? You can safeguard your animals by practicing biosecurity, staying alert for signs of illness, and reporting any suspected cases to the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
3. How to submit samples for Testing?
4. What are FDA's Guidelines for dairy cattle livestock exhibitions at Fairs and Shows?
Poultry and livestock owners are encouraged to practice biosecurity daily to protect their animals, watch for signs of illness, and report any suspected cases to the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
For more information or resources from our Federal partners, please visit the links to the right or contact MDA's Animal Health Program at MD.DairyHPAI@maryland.gov.
