Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health

Technical bulletin: Accelerated Testing and Surveillance for Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Human Cases
January 21, 2025

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (HPAI) has been detected in a new dairy herd in the last week and has been circulating among birds and mammals in the United States since 2022.  Currently more than 66 human cases of H5N1 have been reported in the U.S., with approximately 60% of individuals exposed to dairy cows and 35% exposed to poultry farms.  The PDF linked below provides actions for medical providers, including a flow chart for evaluation of patients that present with respiratory symptoms and/or conjunctivitis.  Medical providers are asked to communicate with their local health authority to ensure suspected H5N1 infections receive proper sample collection, receiving and testing within 24 hrs from the time the sample is collected.  If you are a medical provider in Nevada, please refer to the document linked below and follow the recommendations provided.  - Abbreviated summary provided by Tracy Shane, State Extension Livestock Specialist

More Information on Public Health Testing 

More Information on Public Health Testing 
 

 

Nevada Department of Agriculture

January 14, 2025

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected across Nevada in recent weeks. This most recent outbreak within the U.S. started in early 2022. Unfortunately, the disease has not only dramatically affected the commercial poultry industry, but more recently, the dairy industry as well. Some of the largest outbreaks have occurred in these industries in western states and now Nevada. The most recent and severe outbreak has caused great impacts, both financially and to animal welfare in California. Although Nevada is not a large state in terms of commercial poultry production, we have many backyard flocks and a large dairy and beef industry that contribute to the livelihood of many individuals and provide food for Nevadans.

Given these factors and the challenges associated with bringing an end to this nationwide outbreak of HP AI, the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is implementing a ban on all Nevada Poultry (birds and eggs) and Dairy Cattle Exhibitions at fairs and shows until further notice.

The NDA would like to remind all dairy and poultry producers to maintain very strict biosecurity practices on their farms and premises to avoid contracting this devastating disease. HP AI can be easily transmitted from contaminated equipment, vehicles, and even clothing. It is also important to report any cases of increased mortality in poultry and clinical symptoms in dairy cattle promptly to your veterinarian and the NDA State Veterinarian's office: (775) 353- 3755.

Peter R. Rolfe, DVM
State Veterinarian

INVESTIGATION OF HPAI

 

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Restrictions for Animal Commodities Originating from or Transiting Germany 

Effective Date: November 3, 2024
The following is an update to the Import Alert issued on January 13, 2025. APHIS is revising the effective date of the restrictions based on updated epidemiological information.

Effective November 3, 2024, and until further notice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) is restricting the importation of certain animal commodities originating from or transiting Germany based on the confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in water buffalos.

Restrictions

Live ruminants, camelids, swine, hedgehogs, tenrecs, dogs, horses: 
APHIS prohibits the importation of live ruminants, camelids, swine, hedgehogs, tenrecs, and their germplasm originating from or transiting through Germany.  

APHIS will permit the importation of dogs from Germany if their fur and bedding is free of excessive dirt, hay, or straw. The dog should be bathed as soon as it reaches its destination and kept separate from all livestock for five days after entering the United States.   

Horses from Germany, including horses that have contact with horses from Germany at any time within the five days of German residency (including transport and in holding facilities), must complete the established FMD protocol. This includes no direct or indirect contact with domestic or wild ruminants or swine for a minimum of five days before entering the USDA quarantine facility and pre-export decontamination of horses, their hooves, and accompanying equipment, as well as additional decontamination in an APHIS-approved import quarantine facility upon arrival. Horses transiting Germany will be required to complete the FMD protocol upon arrival. Please note that horses that have resided in an FMD-free country for a minimum of five days after residing in Germany do not need to complete the FMD protocol.  

Processed porcine, ruminant, camelid, hedgehog, and tenrec products and by-products (including milk): 
If arriving as cargo, must be accompanied by VS import permit and/or government certification confirming that the products or by-products were treated in accordance with APHIS requirements.

If arriving in passenger baggage,  must be shelf stable as a result of APHIS-approved packaging and cooking (for example, packed in hermetically sealed containers and fully cooked by a commercial method after such packing to produce articles that are shelf stable without refrigeration), OR must be accompanied by a VS import permit and/or government certification confirming that the products or by-products were treated in accordance with APHIS requirements.

Unprocessed porcine, ruminant, camelid, hedgehog, and tenrec products and by-products (including milk): 
If arriving as cargo, importation is prohibited with limited exceptions. In some cases, eligible unprocessed porcine, ruminant, and camelid products and by-products can be imported if consigned directly from the port of arrival to an eligible USDA-approved establishment. There are no USDA-approved establishments for milk/milk products. 
If arriving in passenger baggage, importation is prohibited, except for trophies that are fully taxidermy finished or consigned directly to an eligible USDA-approved establishment.

Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA

More information is available on the APHIS website