LINCOLN, Neb. — Officials confirm Nebraska’s first known case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a dairy cattle herd.
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service report that the central Nebraska herd is under quarantine. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory also confirms that this strain affecting this herd is similar to a strain found in California.
Unlike when a poultry farm is infected, dairy cattle experience little to no mortality stemming from the virus, and with supportive care can recover from the disease, officials noted in an announcement.
To further protect the state’s dairy farms, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture has also issued an importation order that is effective immediately. This order requires all breeding female dairy cows that enter Nebraska to have an NDA issued permit before entry into the state. This order is extended to Nov. 30, 2025, and the department says that it will be re-evaluated quarterly.
The bovine strain of bird flu typically affects late-stage lactating cows, NDA notes, adding that clinical signs to look for include clear nasal discharge, decreased food consumption, loose feces, dehydration, lethargy, fever, a decrease in milk production, as well as a thicker “colostrum-like” milk.
For poultry, Nebraska detected a backyard flock with HPAI in March in Dawson County. At that time, the state had four confirmed backyard flocks noted for 2025.
Dr. Roger Dudley, Nebraska state veterinarian, is urging the state’s dairy producers to continue to follow a strict protocol of biosecurity measures, and if a farm’s animals show any symptoms of HPAI to contact NDA immediately at 402-471-2351, or the USDA at 866-536-7593.
On Sept. 17, APHIS reported that for the previous 30 days in the United States, just one confirmed case in one state with HPAI in a dairy milking cow facility, and this is the current Nebraska location.
For biosecurity information for dairy cattle herds, visit APHIS at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock/enhance-biosecurity.
