Nebraska has recorded its first case of bird flu in a dairy cattle herd, marking the virus’s continued spread through US livestock, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Monday.

The affected herd, located in central Nebraska, has been quarantined after testing confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The herd in Nebraska is located in the central part of the state and has been quarantined, according to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

The National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) found that the strain closely resembles one recently detected in California. Officials noted that, with supportive care, infected dairy cattle typically recover, and mortality rates remain low. Dairy cattle in 17 states have been infected since the start of the outbreak in March 2024, according to the USDA. California, Michigan, Nevada, Idaho, Arizona and Texas have also reported cases in dairy herds this year.

Infected dairy cows often experience a noticeable drop in milk production, with additional symptoms including reduced food intake, clear nasal discharge, fever, dehydration, and thicker, colostrum-like milk.

State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley urged vigilance: “We encourage Nebraska dairy producers to follow strict biosecurity protocols and to contact their veterinarian immediately if their animals show any symptoms.”

While human infections remain rare, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stressed that the risk to the general public remains low.

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With inputs from Reuters