May 2024
Florida Farm Bureau Federation continues to monitor the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak in cattle. The states currently affected are Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has issued that cattle exposed to or infected with Bovine Associated Influenza A Syndrome may not be imported into Florida.
Additionally, no lactating dairy cattle originating from a state that has a suspected or confirmed case of Bovine Associated Influenza A Syndrome may be imported into Florida. All non-lactating dairy cattle originating from a state with suspected or confirmed case of Bovine Associated Influenza A Syndrome must have an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection within ten days of importation. The full release can be found here.
The USDA also announced on April 24 that, considering the quickly changing situation involving HPAI detections in dairy cattle, the following measures will be required, effective Monday, April 29, 2024:
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.
- As will be described in forthcoming guidance, these steps will be immediately required for lactating dairy cattle, while these requirements for other classes of dairy cattle will be based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile.
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.
More information from the USDA can be found in the dairy federal order. For more information, members are encouraged to contact Florida Farm Bureau’s Ag Policy Department.