Critical Quarantine Measures Implemented to Safeguard Dairy Cattle Against Avian Influenza Threat

Protecting Pennsylvania’s Dairy Industry and Public Health Through Vigilant Quarantine Enforcement

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has issued an Interstate and International Quarantine Order due to the threat posed by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Eurasian lineage goose/Guangdong H5 clade 2.3.4.4 virus. This virus, confirmed in wild birds and poultry flocks across the United States in 2024, has historically caused significant losses to the poultry industry. The order, established under the Domestic Animal Law, aims to prevent the spread of the virus to dairy cattle, given its potential to cause severe disease in various species, including cattle.

Key provisions of the order include importation standards, movement restrictions, and testing requirements for dairy cattle entering Pennsylvania. These requirements involve testing samples from dairy cattle for Influenza A Virus prior to movement, with exemptions for certain categories of animals. Violations of the quarantine order may result in penalties, including quarantine, testing, treatment, or disposal of animals, and disinfection or destruction of related goods or materials. The Department retains the authority to establish additional quarantine or testing measures as necessary. For inquiries, veterinary professionals may contact the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Agriculture.

Please click the button below to see the full quarantine order.

The following resources have been provided by the Center for Dairy Excellence with this message:

Recently the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania announced a quarantine order and guidance document on what would happen if a farm is confirmed positive in Pennsylvania with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, technically known as Bovine Influenza A. Those documents are both attached. One of the requirements for milk movement will be that the farm has Step 3 of the FARM EveryDay biosecurity plan and Pennsylvania’s Supplement to that plan completed.

The Center and Penn State are providing printed copies of those documents, along with Steps 1 and 2, biosecurity signs, a visitors log, and posters to farms at no cost. … If you would like to order quantities of these materials to give to your clients, you can order them by emailing Allen Hess on our team at ahess@centerfordairyexcellence.org. Please let us know if you would like bulk copies of those materials to distribute to your clients.