Animal Health

On March 25, USDA announced that unpasteurized, clinical samples of milk from sick cattle collected from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas, as well as an oropharyngeal swab from another dairy in Texas, have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

The clinically affected herds experienced decreased herd level milk production; acute sudden drop in production with some severely impacted cows experiencing thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk; decrease in feed consumption with a simultaneous drop in rumen motility; abnormal tacky or loose feces, and some fever. It is believed that HPAI is the cause of their illness, but the situation is likely multifactorial and evolving.

We will continue to post the latest information here. Prior to this announcement, and just last week, Minnesota detected the virus in a baby goat and this was the first time that HPAI has been detected in US livestock. There is no concern to the commercial milk supply at this point. Pasteurization will inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. However, less is known about raw milk and dairy products and the risk for HPAI transmission.

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3/19/2024 - The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) shared information with us regarding an animal health situation affecting dairy cattle. TAHC is working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to further monitor and evaluate reported cases.

Clinical signs include decreased herd level milk production; acute sudden drop in production with some severely impacted cows experiencing thicker, concentrated, colostrum like milk; decrease in feed consumption with a simultaneous drop in rumen motility; abnormal tacky or loose feces, and some fever. Impacted herds have reported older cows in mid-lactation may be more likely to be severely impacted than younger cows and fresh cows or heifers. Dry cows and heifers do not appear to be affected. In addition, some herds have reported pneumonia and clinical mastitis cases as secondary sequelae.

In Maine, a strong emphasis on enhanced biosecurity measures is encouraged. As monitoring and evaluation is underway, limiting people on and off premises and prioritizing diligent biosecurity practices is critical. We monitor animal movement into the State and we will work with TAHC if there are cattle movements planned from Texas to Maine.

Updated information regarding the situation and case definition will be provided when available. We also encourage checking the TAHC website, for situational updates and additional guidance as more information becomes available.

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• 1/12/2024: Maine Officials Respond to Avian Influenza Detected in York County
• 12/21/2023: Clinical Microbiology Notification of Laboratory Move
• 11/29/2023: Public Comment Open: Ch. 213, Rules For the Maine Salmonella enteritidis ("SE") Risk Reduction and Surveillance Program for Commercial Egg-Type Flocks
• 11/20/2023: The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry’s Animal Health program is following updates on cases of unusual respiratory disease in dogs in the U.S. Affected dogs are developing severe pneumonia that is not always responsive to typical antimicrobials. Situations where dogs co-mingle may elevate the risk for disease, including kennels, daycares, and dog parks.
  • Guidance on Preventing Disease in Facilities that House Dogs (PDF)
  If you think your dog is affected, we recommend working closely with your veterinarian to discuss testing and treatment options. We also appreciate veterinarians reporting severe respiratory cases in dogs to us directly at animalhealth.agr@maine.gov so that we can begin to quantify and understand the impact in Maine.
• 10/14/2023: HPAI Risk Assessment for Maine Flocks - The United States is again seeing an uptick in Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) cases. We have not seen any new cases in Maine since Spring 2023. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry’s Animal Health program and Inland Fisheries & Wildlife are regularly surveilling poultry and wild birds, respectively. We will continue to provide updates on this page as possible. Receive DACF updates and alerts regarding the status of avian influenza in Maine by opting into the Avian Influenza email list.
• 10/24/2023: What is Johne's Disease (PDF) - Learn more about the bacterial infection in sheep and goats.
• 10/17/2023: Maine Issues Warning on Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus Cases
• 9/22/2023: Eastern Equine Encephalitis Confirmed in Non-Commercial Farm Animals in Piscataquis County
• 4/20/2023: Advisory for Live Poultry Events in Maine (PDF)
• 4/13/2023: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry names Bolas as new State Veterinarian
• 10/14/2022: Vigilance is still needed as HPAI continues to be detected in Maine's wildlife
• 4/22/2022: Maine Animal Health Officials Issue Advisory Regarding Poultry Swaps and Exhibitions In Response to Bird Flu Cases
• 3/31/2022: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Situational Report
• 3/17/2022: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Situational Report
• 2/23/2022: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Situational Report
• 2/21/2022: Maine Officials Respond to Avian Influenza Detected in Knox County
• 2/14/2022: Surveillance testing in New Hampshire identifies H5 HPAI infected wild birds. Read the public announcement. This virus is very likely circulating in Maine's wild birds too. Prevent this virus from impacting your poultry by keeping them separate from wild birds and their environment. Learn more here: Defend the Flock Resource Center.
• 2/10/2022:  USDA Confirms first case of H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in US poultry since 2015. This HPAI virus has also been confirmed in our Atlantic Flyway. Maine poultry producers need to take biosecurity steps now to protect their birds. Please call DACF Animal Health, UMaine Extension or your flock veterinarian if you need guidance.
• 1/27/2022: Avian Influenza detections continue in the Atlantic Flyway. Stay up to date and learn how to protect your birds at the USDA 2022 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza website.
• 1/14/2022: USDA APHIS announces first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in US since 2016. This case was detected in a wild bird in South Carolina. Maine poultry producers are encouraged to implement wild bird exclusion and farm sanitation practices for their farms. Call DACF Animal Health if you have questions or suspect AI in your flock.
• 1/12/22: Additional avian influenza cases detected in 2022. Read January 2022: Letter to Maine Poultry Producers (PDF).

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