Interstate movement requirements for dairy cattle during H5N1 outbreak

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a Federal Order requiring testing for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) in lactating dairy cattle prior to interstate movement. In addition, detections of H5N1 must be reported to the USDA APHIS. This order goes into effect Monday, April 29, 2024.

As of April 26, 2024, detections of H5N1 in dairy cattle have not been reported in Nevada. Please review the following requirements and recommendations. This is an evolving situation, and requirements are subject to change with minimal notice. Please continue to monitor your email and the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) for up-to-date information.

Animal movement | The NDA has updated entry requirements in compliance with this order requiring a negative test for Influenza A virus from an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) lab to be documented on a Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection (CVI) within seven (7) days prior to movement. Dairy producers should work with their veterinarian to arrange for testing prior to transport. Nevada producers moving lactating dairy cattle out of state should reference the updated entry guidelines for the state to which they are traveling. Culled dairy cows consigned to a sale barn in Nevada for eventual processing out of state must also test negative for H5N1 within 7 days prior to sale or movement out of state. Non-lactating dairy cattle are not currently subject to testing for interstate movement due to their risk profile. Cattle traveling direct to slaughter from the owner do not require testing.

Costs | APHIS will reimburse for Influenza A testing at NAHLN laboratories associated with this event for the following submission reasons:

  • Suspect cattle: Suspected cases should be reported to the NDA State Veterinarian at diseasereporting@agri.nv.gov.
  • Apparently healthy cattle that have been exposed to or epidemiologically linked to suspect or confirmed positive HPAI cattle.
  • Sick or dead domestic animals near affected premises.
  • Sick or dead wildlife (reason for submission must indicate emerging event).
  • Monitoring of healthy cattle via bulk tank samples.


Costs for sample collection and shipping will not be covered.

Detections | Any positive detections of Influenza A must be reported to the NDA State Veterinarian at diseasereporting@agri.nv.gov and USDA APHIS at HPAI.Results@usda.gov. More information on testing is available from APHIS.

Biosecurity | Good health safety practices are important to protecting herd health.

  • Monitor for Sick Animals: Producers should monitor herds closely for cattle with clinical signs of disease.
  • Movement of Cattle: Movement of cattle should be minimized; movement of cattle should be focused on preventing movement of disease.
  • Vehicles, Equipment, and People on the Farm: Producers should limit the movement of vehicles and visitors on and off livestock and poultry premises and establish dedicated routes for vehicles that do come onto the premises.
  • Wildlife Management: Producers should monitor and report any odd behaviors and die offs in domestic and wild animals immediately.
  • Worker safety: Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended for personals working with or around cattle or materials potentially contaminated with H5N1. Avoid rubbing eyes, eating, drinking, smoking, chewing gum, and other such activities in and around areas with cattle. Wash hand regularly.


The FDA maintains the meat and dairy supply remain safe for consumption, and the CDC states the virus is not transmissible to humans, so public risk remains low.

For H5N1 updates, visit: aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock or contact diseasereporting@agri.nv.gov