Note from the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA):
- No cases have been identified in Georgia.
- Any veterinarian in Georgia who identifies clinical signs consistent with this illness should contact the GDA Animal Health team at 404-656-3667.
- As always, veterinarians and producers are encouraged to practice good biosecurity when moving on/off and between farms.
- Biosecurity resources and current information related to this event can be found at USDA’s website.
- USDA has issued a national order mandating testing for interstate movement and reporting requirements for dairy cattle in the United States.
- The order takes effect Monday, April 29, 2024 and is in effect until further notice.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published a guidance document related to this order and its implementation. Visit the guidance document or read the summary below.
APHIS Requirements and Recommendations for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Virus in Livestock For State Animal Health Officials, Accredited Veterinarians and Producers
Mandatory Testing for Interstate Movement of Dairy Cattle
- Prior to interstate movement, dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory.
- Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive for interstate movement will be required to provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing.
- Dairy cattle moving interstate must adhere to conditions specified by APHIS.
- All lactating dairy cattle crossing state lines must test negative for HPAI prior to movement.
- Milk samples are to be collected by a Georgia licensed, accredited veterinarian. If you need assistance with sample collection, please contact GA Milk Producers at 229-221-3906 or the GDA Animal Health team at 404-656-3667.
- Milk samples should be collected from individual cows with each quarter sampled and combined. A minimum of 5ml should be collected from each cow.
- For groups of more than 30 animals moving interstate, then only 30 animals total must be tested. For groups of less than 30 animals, each animal must be tested.
- Samples must be collected, and negative test results obtained within 7 days prior to movement.
- Tests must be conducted by a National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NALHN) lab.
- In Georgia, samples will be shipped to the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Labs in Tifton or Athens.
- When submitting samples, please contact the GDA Animal Health team at 404-656-3667 to facilitate submission.
- Nonlactating dairy cattle including dry cows, bull calves, and heifers are exempt from this order (for now).
- Nonclinical lactating dairy cows from unaffected herds are allowed to move across state lines directly to slaughter without a pre-movement test if they are accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection or other document approved by the state veterinarians in both the sending and receiving state.
Mandatory Reporting
Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A nucleic acid detection diagnostic results (e.g. PCR or genetic sequencing) in livestock to USDA APHIS.
Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A serology diagnostic results in livestock to USDA APHIS.
The Federal Order may be viewed here and is effective on Monday, April 29, 2024.
