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Maryland Department of Agriculture

Avian Influenza in Dairy Cows

States where HPAI has been detected in dairy cattle  

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy herds in: California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico, ​Oklahoma, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, South Dakota, North Carolina, Colorado and Ohio.  

A single case of HPAI in a human has been confirmed in Texas, however, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has assessed the public risk as low.​

HPAI response in Maryland

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is actively working with state and federal partners to monitor and respond to the situation. Farms and individuals involved in animal farming are encouraged to stay alert, become familar with the signs of HPAI in poultry and cattle and take measures to protect their flocks and herds. 

​On April 24, 2024, the USDA issued a Federal order requiring testing for and reporting of 
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in livestock  

On April 30, 2024 MDA Secretary Kevin Atticks signed an amended order​ - PDF - 92.3 KB restricting the movement of dairy cattle into Maryland from states with confirmed cases of HPAI in dairy herds.  

On December 31, 2024 MDA Secretary Kevin Atticks and Maryland Department of Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott signed a joint order​ - PDF - 259.67 KB governing mandatory testing of milk from Maryland dairy farms. 

For more information about the December 31, 2024 order and how this may affect your farm please review these FAQs.

Milk safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has assured consumers that the milk supply is safe. All milk products undergo pasteurization before reaching the market, and dairies are required to send only milk from healthy animals for human consumption. 

The FDA strongly recommends heat treatment of milk from cows showing signs of illness or exposed to avian influenza before feeding it to calves.

Your role in HPAI response

Practice biosecurity daily to protect your animals, watch for signs of illness, and report any suspected cases to the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

Frequently asked questions

Please use the ​BOVINE Influenza Services Request Form - PDF - 164.14 KB. See the Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratories page for more information about our lab services.

More information

For more information or resources from our federal partners, please contact MDA's Animal Health Program at [email protected].​​

Resources   

Maryland Department of Agriculture

Maryland Department of Health 

​United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) resources

Food and Drug Administration(FDA) resources

Center for Disease Control(CDC) resources