A calf in a field north of Muller Lane. While Carson Valley has no working dairies, the cattle here are just as susceptible as any to pathogens.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
On Friday, the Nevada Department of Agriculture received evidence of a detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza 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
That day, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a new federal order regarding the testing and surveillance for the H5N1 variant of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in all U.S. dairy herds. The recent outbreak of the virus in dairy cows across 16 states, including Nevada, has highlighted the ongoing and increased need for livestock biosecurity efforts.
Nevada livestock producers practice routine biosecurity daily, from changing boots between barns, to handwashing, cleaning and disinfecting equipment, and quarantining new animals coming onto the farm and ranch. However, new federal orders require infected herds to comply with enhanced biosecurity planning, including movement controls, contact tracing and additional testing. Enhanced biosecurity plans should comply with guidance found in the Secure Milk Supply Plan. Increased surveillance and testing of U.S. dairy herds is paramount when it comes to reducing both the spread of this virus in dairy cattle and the risk of transmission to farm workers. The public is reminded that pasteurized dairy products and food supplies purchased from retailers are safe for consumption.
In order to help Nevadans prepare and update their livestock biosecurity protocols, University of Nevada, Reno Extension has launched a new livestock biosecurity website that directs Nevada livestock producers and local and county emergency responders to important resources for getting prepared and will be helping producers to navigate the steps they need to take. Extension is leading this collaborative effort to minimize the negative impacts of an outbreak, in coordination with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Nevada Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and other state agencies.
Livestock producers are urged to evaluate and update their biosecurity plans and learn about completing enhanced biosecurity plans to prepare for this virus and other foreign animal diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease.
