KDA Issues Movement Order For Lactating Dairy Cattle

The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) Division of Animal Health has issued an order on the movement of lactating dairy cattle into and within the state in response to the ongoing highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) occurrences affecting dairy cattle. The order went into effect at 12:00 p.m. April 22, 2024, and requires special permits to move lactating dairy cows. The basics of the order are:      

• All lactating dairy cattle moving into and within Kansas will require a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) with a pre-movement permit. 
• CVI shall contain a statement affirming the premises of origin has not had cows exhibit H5N1 consistent clinical signs within the last 30 days. 
• If the above statement cannot be affirmed, the permit request will be referred to a KDA veterinarian for a risk assessment. 
• Based on the results of the risk assessment, a pre-movement testing protocol may be necessary. 
• Animals moving between locations but not changing ownership are required to follow the order.  
• Cows being transported directly to harvest are exempt from permitting.

Currently there are 30 herds with confirmed cases in eight states. USDA suspects there is a level of cow-to-cow transfer occurring, but the exact mechanism of transfer is yet to be determined. Lactating dairy cows continue to be the group where the virus is most evident, both clinically and in diagnostic testing. Biosecurity measures still are extremely important in protecting cattle and containing the spread of the virus and should continue to be closely followed.    The situation is evolving as new details become available.

The most recent information on H5N1 in dairy cattle can be accessed by clicking here. To read the Kansas movement order in full, click here.