By Scout Nelson
Nebraska has confirmed its first case of bird flu in a dairy cattle herd, adding to a long-running outbreak that continues to impact livestock across the United States. The announcement came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on September 15, marking another step in an outbreak that has affected herds for more than 18 months.
According to a report from USA Today’s Marc Ramirez, “Nebraska has confirmed its first case of bird flu in a dairy cattle herd as a lingering 18-month outbreak continues to afflict livestock nationwide, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Sept. 15.”
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture, working with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, confirmed the highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) infection in a central Nebraska herd.
“The state’s department of agriculture, aided by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, said in a press release that it had confirmed the case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a central Nebraska herd and that the herd had been quarantined,” Ramirez reported.
The USDA notes that while the spread of H5N1 has slowed, the virus remains a concern. “Though decelerating, cases of H5N1 bird flu have now been confirmed in more than 1,000 herds across 17 U.S. states since the virus was initially found in dairy cows in March 2024, according to the USDA, including cases this year in Texas, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Michigan and California.”
State officials have quarantined the affected Nebraska herd to contain the virus and protect surrounding livestock. Federal and state agencies continue to monitor herds across the country, stressing the importance of biosecurity measures to prevent further spread.
This latest confirmation highlights the ongoing challenge of controlling avian influenza in U.S. cattle and the need for continued vigilance to protect animal health and the nation’s food supply.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-jessicahyde
Categories: Nebraska, Livestock, Dairy Cattle