Nevada - Avian influenza in mammals and livestock 2024-2025

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-...officials-say/

Avian flu virus detected in Nye County dairy cows, Nevada officials say
by: Greg Haas
Posted: Dec 6, 2024 / 02:50 PM PST
Updated: Dec 6, 2024 / 03:34 PM PST


LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Avian flu has been detected in dairy cows in Nye County, according to state officials. It’s the first report of H5N1 in dairy cows in Nevada.

State agriculture officials said Friday that the site has been quarantined and mandatory testing will continue until the herd is confirmed to be free of the virus.

The U.S. government on Friday ordered testing of the nation’s milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows...

[sharon sanders]

Gov. press release -



First Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza detection in dairy cows in Nevada

The property has been quarantined and milk supplies remain safe for consumption

---

Contact

Ciara Ressel
Public Information Officer
775-353-3603
cressel@agri.nv.gov
NYE COUNTY, Nev. - December 06, 2024



The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) has received evidence of a detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) in dairy cattle in Nye County. The affected premises has been quarantined and mandatory testing will occur onsite at regular intervals until the herd is confirmed to be virus-free. Once the virus is sequenced by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories, this would be the first detection in the state.



"Ensuring the safety of the industry is our utmost priority," said NDA Director J.J. Goicoechea. "Early action is critical to prevent the spread of animal disease. We have notified industry members and encouraged increased animal and worker safety precautions."



The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintains that the risk to humans remains low and the NDA is working with state and county health officials to protect human health and safety.



"The NDA thanks our partners from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Nye County Health Officer, Dr. Daniel Griffith, for their support and coordination." said NDA Director Goicoechea. "This is a huge team effort, and we are thankful to have strong partners across Nevada."



Dairy and meat products remain safe for consumption. In addition, the USDA has determined that pasteurized milk will not transmit the virus to humans. Raw milk is illegal in Nevada.



"As always, we recommend following food safety guidelines, only eating or drinking pasteurized milk and cheeses, and cooking meat to the appropriate minimum internal temperatures," said NDA Director Goicoechea.



More information on food safety is available at foodsafety.gov.



H5N1 has now been detected in 16 states throughout the U.S. with detections in dairy cattle beginning in March 2024 in Texas. Since then, detections have been confirmed in Nevada's neighboring states. Livestock owners are encouraged to practice good biosecurity and monitor animals for signs of illness. H5N1 presents mild symptoms in cows, including reduced milk production, decreased feed consumption or coughing or sneezing. If an animal shows any signs of illness, contact your local veterinarian.



Livestock workers should also monitor for symptoms, which may be mild, including fever, eye redness or irritation, or respiratory symptoms. Individuals showing signs of illness should seek medical attention. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available through NDA and can be requested by calling 775-353-3709.

About the Nevada Department of Agriculture


The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) mission is to preserve, protect and promote Nevada’s agriculture. The department has 225 dedicated employees providing services in its five divisions, Administrative Services, Animal Industry, Measurement Standards, Food and Nutrition, and Plant Health and Compliance. The department’s $288 million budget facilitates regulatory and administrative work in agriculture and food manufacturing industries, protecting public and environmental health and worker safety, and providing food distribution and oversight for the United States Department of Agriculture’s school and community nutrition programs.

https://agri.nv.gov/News/2024/First_Highly_Pathogenic_Avian_Influenza_detection_in_dairy_cows_in_Nevada/

[Commonground]

Nevada Dept. of Agriculture

Nevada dairies to be treated for starling infestations to help prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Starlings are non-native species and pose a health risk of spreading disease

PARKS, Nev. - December 10, 2024

Wildlife biologists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services and the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) will begin removing non-native European starling populations around several dairies in Churchill, Lyon and Nye counties. Due to their large numbers, the birds are a nuisance population and spread disease and contaminate food and water sources for livestock, putting animals at risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1), salmonella and E. Coli infections. With the recent detection of HPAI in dairy cattle in Nevada, the removal of these starling populations is critical to mitigating the spread of disease.

In the event that the public finds dead or dying birds during the removal, Wildlife Services recommends handling the birds with single-use gloves and disposing of them in the trash. The dead birds do not need to be reported. Residents unable to dispose of the starlings may call the USDA at (775) 851-4848 and provide the location of the birds by address.

For more information, visit agri.nv.gov/wildlife.

https://agri.nv.gov/News/2024/Nevada_dairies_to_be_treated_for_starling_infestations_to_help_prevent_the_spread_of_Highly_Pathogenic_Avian_Influenza/

[Pathfinder]

Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Mammals

Last Modified: January 06, 2025
...
...

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/mammals

[Lance]

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4451

[sharon sanders]

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza detected in dairy cows in northern Nevada

Affected cows have been quarantined and milk supplies remain safe for consumption

---

Contact

Ciara Ressel
Public Information Officer
775-353-3603
cressel@agri.nv.gov
CHURCHILL COUNTY, Nev. - January 24, 2025



The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) has detected Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle in Churchill County. The affected premises have been quarantined, and mandatory testing will occur onsite at regular intervals until the herds are confirmed to be virus-free. The first detection of HPAI in dairy cattle in Nevada was made in Nye County in December of 2024.



"Ensuring the safety of the industry is our utmost priority, and the NDA is working with industry members," said NDA State Veterinarian Peter Rolfe, DVM. "It is critical that animal health biosecurity practices are enhanced to help prevent the spread of disease and protect animal and worker safety."



The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintains that the risk to humans remains low and the NDA is working with state and county health officials to protect human health and safety. Dairy and meat products remain safe for consumption. In addition, the USDA has determined that pasteurized milk will not transmit the virus to humans. Raw milk is illegal in Nevada.



"As always, we recommend following food safety guidelines, only eating or drinking pasteurized milk and cheeses, and cooking meat to the appropriate minimum internal temperatures," said Dr. Rolfe.



More information on food safety is available at foodsafety.gov.



HPAI has been detected in dairy cattle in 16 states throughout the U.S. since March 2024. Livestock owners are encouraged to practice good biosecurity and monitor animals for signs of illness. HPAI presents mild symptoms in cows, including reduced milk production, decreased feed consumption or coughing or sneezing. If an animal shows any signs of illness, contact your local veterinarian.



Livestock workers should also monitor for symptoms, which may be mild, including fever, eye redness or irritation, or respiratory symptoms. Individuals showing signs of illness should seek medical attention. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available through Central Nevada Health District and can be requested by calling 775-866-7535.

About the Nevada Department of Agriculture




TheNevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) mission is to preserve, protect and promote Nevada's agriculture. The department has 225 dedicated employees providing services in its five divisions, Administrative Services, Animal Industry, Measurement Standards, Food and Nutrition, and Plant Health and Compliance. The department's $288 million budget facilitates regulatory and administrative work in agriculture and food manufacturing industries, protecting public and environmental health and worker safety, and providing food distribution and oversight for the United States Department of Agriculture's school and community nutrition programs.

https://agri.nv.gov/News/2025/Highly_Pathogenic_Avian_Influenza_detected_in_dairy_cows_in_northern_Nevada/

[sharon sanders]

Nevada Department of Agriculture taking additional action to prevent the spread of avian influenza

---

Contact

Ciara Ressel
Public Information Officer
775-353-3603
cressel@agri.nv.gov
SPARKS, Nev. - January 31, 2025



The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services is taking additional action in an effort to prevent the spread of avian influenza. Dairy cattle premises in Nye and Churchill Counties have been placed under quarantine due to detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory is continuing testing to confirm what strain of virus has been detected in Churchill County. Preliminary results show this detection to be consistent with a strain that has also been detected in wild birds in all North American flyways.



"The challenge with this virus is that it may be spread through contaminated clothing worn and equipment shared between animals, but birds carrying the disease can also infect domestic animals and livestock," said NDA Director J.J. Goicoechea, DVM. "We cannot stress enough how important it is to keep equipment clean, practice good animal health safety practices, and bolster biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of disease."



The USDA Wildlife Services will begin surveillance and testing wildlife for HPAI to better determine which strain and how it is spreading. The NDA has been conducting surveillance on milk silos to detect the virus before dairy cows may begin showing signs of symptoms, as part of the National Milk Testing Strategy.



To help prevent the spread of HPAI, the NDA and USDA Wildlife Services will begin removing non-native European starling populations in Churchill, Pershing and Lyon Counties. Due to their large numbers, the birds are a nuisance population and spread disease and contaminate food and water sources for animals, putting them at risk of HPAI, salmonella, E. Coli infections and other diseases. The removal of these starling populations is critical to mitigating the spread of disease.



In the event that the public finds dead or dying birds during the removal, Wildlife Services recommends handling the birds with single-use gloves and disposing of them in the trash, as they may be carriers of HPAI. While the pesticide used in the removal of starlings is not harmful to pets, due to the risk of HPAI, it is recommended that pets be kept away from the dead birds. The dead birds do not need to be reported. Residents unable to dispose of the starlings may call the USDA at (775) 851-4848 and provide the location of the birds by address.



The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintains that the risk to humans remains low and the NDA is working with state and county health officials to protect human health and safety.



"The protection of public and animal health is our utmost priority," said Director Goicoechea.



Dairy and meat products remain safe for consumption when cooked to the appropriate internal temperatures. In addition, the USDA has determined that pasteurized milk will not transmit the virus to humans. Raw milk is illegal in Nevada. More information on food safety is available at foodsafety.gov.

https://agri.nv.gov/News/2025/Nevada_Department_of_Agriculture_taking_additional_action_to_prevent_the_spread_of_avian_influenza/

[Commonground]

February 4, 2025

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/hpai-confirmed-cases-livestock

[Michael Coston]

USDA Confirms Genotype D1.1 In Nevada Dairy Cows




#18,601

Yesterday, in Nevada's HPAI H5 Genotype Question (And Why It Matters), we looked at Monday's release from the state of Nevada on 4 newly infected dairy herds, with the curious added detail that "Preliminary results show this detection to be consistent with a strain that has also been detected in wild birds in all North American flyways."

This appeared to be a departure from the norm, as all previous cattle-related infections had been identified as stemming from the B3.13 `bovine' strain.

While there has been a lot of speculation the past 48 hours, about an hour ago (noon EST), the USD changed the heading on their Livestock with H5N1 page (see above), to remove the statement: `The genetic sequence for all cattle cases and the alpaca case is influenza A, H5, clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13'.

Shortly after that, the USDA released the following statement. I'll have a postscript after the break.

APHIS Confirms D1.1 Genotype in Dairy Cattle in Nevada


On January 31, 2025, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed by whole genome sequence the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype D1.1 in dairy cattle. This confirmation was a result of State tracing and investigation, following an initial detection on silo testing under the USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) in Nevada.

USDA APHIS continues to work with the Nevada Department of Agriculture by conducting additional on-farm investigation, testing, and gathering additional epidemiological information to better understand this detection and limit further disease spread.

This is the first detection of this virus genotype in dairy cattle (all previous detections in dairy cattle have been HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13). Genotype D1.1 represents the predominant genotype in the North American flyways this past fall and winter and has been identified in wild birds, mammals, and spillovers into domestic poultry.

The detection does not change USDA’s HPAI eradication strategy and is a testament to the strength of our National Milk Testing Strategy (NTMS). In the interest of sharing information of import to the scientific community, APHIS will publish a technical brief on the findings on our website and post the sequence data on GenBank in the coming week.

aphis.usda.gov

While this is a brief statement, the implications of a second genotype infecting dairy cows are potentially quite significant.

• Countries that have banked on the idea that only the North American B3.13 strain could jump to cattle will now have to re-evaluate that risk.
• Although the number of human infections with both genotypes has been limited, at least two of the D1.1 cases experienced serious illness.
• And if two genotypes can make this leap, presumably others can as well.

I'm sure we'll get more information in the days ahead, hopefully including a read out of any mammalian adaptations.

Stay tuned.

https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/02/usda-confirms-genotype-d11-in-nevada.html

[sharon sanders]

hat tip@lisaschnirring


APHIS Confirms D1.1 Genotype in Dairy Cattle in Nevada


On January 31, 2025, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed by whole genome sequence the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype D1.1 in dairy cattle. This confirmation was a result of State tracing and investigation, following an initial detection on silo testing under the USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) in Nevada.

USDA APHIS continues to work with the Nevada Department of Agriculture by conducting additional on-farm investigation, testing, and gathering additional epidemiological information to better understand this detection and limit further disease spread.

This is the first detection of this virus genotype in dairy cattle (all previous detections in dairy cattle have been HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13). Genotype D1.1 represents the predominant genotype in the North American flyways this past fall and winter and has been identified in wild birds, mammals, and spillovers into domestic poultry.

The detection does not change USDA’s HPAI eradication strategy and is a testament to the strength of our National Milk Testing Strategy (NTMS). In the interest of sharing information of import to the scientific community, APHIS will publish a technical brief on the findings on our website and post the sequence data on GenBank in the coming week.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/program-update/aphis-confirms-d11-genotype-dairy-cattle-nevada-0

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.statnews.com/2025/02/05/...-milk-testing/


USDA milk testing shows different strain of H5N1 bird flu in Nevada dairy herds
Not previously detected in cows, the strain has circulated in wild birds and led to a fatal infection in Louisiana last month
By Helen Branswell
Feb. 5, 2025
Senior Writer, Infectious Diseases

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that four dairy herds in Nevada recently determined to be infected with H5N1 bird flu were in fact infected with a different strain of the virus than has been circulating in cows for the past year.

The discovery, experts said, make it clear driving this virus out of cows will be harder than the USDA has estimated.

The version in the Nevada herds is one that has been circulating in wild birds. It is also the version behind the severe infection of a teenager in British Columbia, Canada, last year, and a fatal infection in Louisiana last month.

Since the beginning of the H5N1 outbreak in dairy cows, the USDA has insisted that all the infections — 957 herds in 16 states to date — trace back to a single introduction of the virus into cows in late 2023 or early 2024, possibly in Texas. Break the chain of transmission, the agency argued, and the outbreak would end...

[Commonground]

Dairy herds in Nevada test positive for newer bird flu strain that’s been linked to severe human infections

By Brenda Goodman, CNN
J.J. Goicoechea, director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture:

Excerpt:

Goicoechea said the affected dairies have provided the Nevada Department of Health with contact information for their workers who are being monitored for signs of infection. They are also being offered personal protective equipment, Goicoechea said. To date, no humans have tested positive in connection with the infected herds.

Notably, the D1.1 infections in cows do not appear to be more severe than B3.13 infections, Goicoechea said.

“We’re seeing exactly the same clinical signs,” Goicoechea said. Cows lose their appetite, and their milk production drops. Most recover with veterinary care. “It’s very, very similar signs to what we’ve seen for really the last year, since this started in Texas and Kansas,” he said.

https://southeast.newschannelnebraska.com/story/52323848/dairy-herds-in-nevada-test-positive-for-newer-bird-flu-strain-thats-been-linked-to-severe-human-infections

[Commonground]

Media
New bird flu infections in Nevada dairy cattle signal the virus may be here to stay
Updated 2:22 PM EST, Thu February 6, 2025

CNN —
Six dairy herds in Nevada have tested positive for a newer variant of the H5N1 bird flu virus that’s been associated with severe infections in humans, according to the Nevada Department of Agriculture.
-snip-

Though all six of the recently infected Nevada herds are in the same valley, Dr. J.J. Goicoechea, director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture, said that after conversations with the farmers and with his state veterinarian, they believe the infection was introduced separately at each of the dairies by wild birds.

Goicoechea said there doesn’t seem to be a lot of movement of people or equipment between the dairies, which have been following strict biosecurity protocols. He said the state is working with the US Department of Agriculture on genetic testing to see whether there are changes to the virus that might help them understand its spread.

... https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/05/healt...ada/index.html

[Commonground]

Media
Bird flu affects 50,000 cows in the state of Nevada
Feb 6, 2025It was confirmed on January 21st that there is a new variant of H5N1, or avian flu, circulating in dairy cows in Churchill County.

Before this, B313 was the strain circulating throughout the nation's cattle since last March.

There is one herd in southern Nevada that was quarantined with the B313 strain back in early December, but now the latest herds have been diagnosed with a new variant, D1.1.

“This strain is another spill over event from wild waterfowl, and it has never been documented in cows before,” said JJ Goicoechea, a Doctor in Veterinary Medicine and Director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture.
-snip-

In Nevada we're not seeing severe infections in humans, although they've had a few reported cases of conjunctivitis.

“Almost all cases have been conjunctivitis. Very mild signs. Now there was one that did have a variant, and that individual did succumb to that, but they also had underlying medical conditions and that was in Louisiana.”
-snip-

“Right now, we have a total of seven, the one in southern Nevada which was the first variant and now six in Churchill county which is the new variant, so we have a total of seven herds in Nevada quarantined with H5N1.”

That is around 50,000 total cows quarantined.

https://www.2news.com/news/bird-flu-affects-50-000-cows-in-the-state-of-nevada/article_1f968332-e4f5-11ef-a8d6-6797aa597922.html

[Commonground]

February 10, 2025
Update - 6 confirmed herds in the last 30 days

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/hpai-confirmed-cases-livestock