The New Jersey Departments of Health (NJDOH) and Agriculture (NJDA) are closely monitoring the emerging situation with H5N1 bird flu and would like to provide important information to New Jersey farm owners. Please refer to the memo from NJDOH and NJDA: Information for Farm Owners and Farm Workers (highlights provided below). The public health risk of H5N1 bird flu is low, but people can sometimes get bird flu, usually after close, unprotected contact with infected animals. Poultry and livestock farmers and workers, veterinarians and veterinary staff, and slaughterhouse workers performing certain tasks on lactating dairy cattle are at increased risk of exposure to animals infected with bird flu viruses. Farms containing multiple species, particularly cattle, and/or poultry, should uphold biosecurity practices that reduce the risk of disease spreading between animals. Farm staff and visitors should adhere to recommended precautions regarding contact with other animals and follow personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension is collaborating with NJDOH, following guidance from the CDC, to assist farm owners with preparedness by providing initial PPE supplies by request at county extension offices. To request PPE supplies and/or receive additional information, please contact your respective county extension office (https://njaes.rutgers.edu/county/). You will be asked to specify the quantity and type of PPE needed for your operation.

Refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s flyer “Protect Yourself from H5N1 When Working With Farm Animals,” for more guidance on the application, removal, and disposal (or possible re-use) of each personal protective equipment item.

PPE from NJDOH includes the following as supply remains available:

• Bouffant caps
• Coveralls
• Face shields and refills
• Goggles
• Gloves
• N95 respirators
• Gowns
• Shoe covers

Please see the attached memo from Dr. Amar Patil, DVM, MVSc, Ph.D., Diplomate ACVM, Director of the Division of Animal Health/State Veterinarian: Federal Order Influenza A in Cattle Memo April 27, 2024

This order includes specific requirements regarding the testing of lactating cows for Bovine Influenza A Virus (H5N1) before interstate movement. New Jersey dairy producers needing pre-movement testing should contact their attending veterinarian to arrange for sample collection, which must occur no more than seven (7) days before interstate movement. The test sample required from lactating dairy cattle is milk/udder secretions from each quarter per individual cow (ensure each quarter is sampled, as there have been reports of only one quarter having the virus), which is then combined into one sample tube (a total volume of 3-10 ml of milk per animal should be submitted). The samples can be submitted to the NJDA Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory (AHDL), a USDA-approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory. Samples submitted to the NJDA AHDL will be tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for influenza A, which will be completed at no cost to the producers/veterinarians. Influenza A testing for interstate dairy cattle movement is an additional requirement to the preexisting livestock importation regulations in New Jersey, N.J.A.C. 2:3 Livestock and Poultry Importation. Persons moving dairy cattle are reminded that these requirements are in addition to the official identification, certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI), and testing requirements conventionally required for cattle movement. Please consult the receiving state to confirm all other interstate movement requirements prior to affecting an animal’s movement.

Listed below are particularly important aspects of the Federal Order and USDA guidance.

Mandatory Testing for Interstate Movement of Dairy Cattle:

• Prior to interstate movement, non-clinical lactating dairy cows are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory in addition to meeting the importing state’s testing requirements and a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI).
• Non-clinical lactating dairy cows moving interstate direct to slaughter do not require influenza A testing but require a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI).
• Non-clinical lactating dairy cows moving interstate through auction markets in New Jersey to out-of-state slaughter do not require influenza A testing but require a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI).
• Non-clinical lactating dairy cows moving interstate to auction market in another state require influenza A testing and a certificate of veterinary inspection.
• Nonlactating dairy cattle, including bull calves, dry cows, and heifers; and beef cattle are exempt from Influenza A testing for interstate movement.
• Movement tests are valid for seven (7) days from the date of sample collection.
• For imported cattle attending a New Jersey Fair/Show, Influenza A testing is required for lactating dairy cattle in addition to meeting requirements in the 2024 fair and show letter.
• Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive for interstate movement will be required to provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing.
• Sick cattle are not eligible for movement. Dairy cattle herds that have tested positive for influenza A must wait 30 days and retest negative to be eligible for movement.

Mandatory Reporting: Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A detection diagnostic results in livestock to USDA APHIS.

As state and federal animal health officials continue to monitor and assess the situation involving Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) detections in dairy cattle (referred to as Bovine Influenza A Virus (BIAV) according to the American Association of Bovine Practitioners), they have provided additional information and guidance. There are still no similar cases reported or detected in New Jersey, but cattle farmers and veterinarians in the state are encouraged to remain updated on new recommendations.

Please read the update from Dr. Amar Patil, DVM, MVSc, Ph.D., Diplomate ACVM, Director of the Division of Animal Health/State Veterinarian: Update on HPAI in Cattle Memo April 4th 2024

You may also find more guidance from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): APHIS Recommendations for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Virus in Livestock

There has been a recent disease event of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle. These cases were found on dairy farms in Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas, and confirmed by samples submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Testing for HPAI was completed on these farms in response to the presence of deceased wild birds on premises with sick cattle. At this time, it seems to affect older, mid-lactation cows; dry cows and heifers have not displayed clinical signs. Clinical signs include decreased appetite, drop in milk production, thickened milk, abnormal feces, and fever. According to a statement by the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), cattle appear to recover in two to three weeks with supportive care. As for food safety, milk from impacted animals is being diverted or destroyed so that it does not enter the food supply. AABP states that pasteurized milk and meat that is properly cooked remains safe for human consumption.

No similar cases in cattle have been reported or detected in New Jersey. However, all veterinarians and cattle producers in the state are encouraged to be alert for unusual or unexplained illnesses in their herds. At this time, practicing good personal and onsite biosecurity, as well as monitoring any changes in animal health and milk production, is recommended to minimize the risk of exposure to the virus. Biosecurity protocols should include limiting farm access to essential employees only, implementing strategies for wild bird determent, and the use of footbaths at barn entryways. If cattle present with the clinical signs described above, they should be isolated from the rest of the herd and reported to a veterinarian and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) Division of Animal Health (DAH) at 609-671-6400. Found deceased wild birds should be reported to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), at 1-877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337), and disposed of appropriately. The 24-hour number to report a foreign animal disease to USDA APHIS VS Area Veterinarian in Charge is 866-536-7593.

For more information about the current HPAI outbreak visit: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai

Memo from Dr. Amar Patil, DVM, MVSc, Ph.D., Diplomate ACVM, Director of the Division of Animal Health/State Veterinarian: HPAI Dairy Cattle Memo March 2024