REYNOLDSBURG, OHIO — The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) reported its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy cattle herd, which was confirmed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory.

A Wood County, Ohio, dairy operation received cows on March 8 from a Texas dairy that later confirmed the detection of HPAI in its herd.

On March 25, state animal health officials were notified when federal agencies confirmed the presence of HPAI in dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas.

USDA has since confirmed HPAI in dairy herds in Idaho, New Mexico and Michigan.

The agency along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to investigate the emerging spread of sickness among dairy cattle causing decreased lactation and low appetite, among other symptoms.

According to the USDA, the reports of HPAI in dairy cattle do not pose a threat to the safety of the commercial milk supply nor to consumer health.

ODA is not currently issuing any quarantines or movement restrictions.