The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed new cases of H5N1 avian influenza in Nevada dairy herds, marking the state’s first detections since December. Additional cases have also been identified in U.S. poultry flocks.
Avian Influenza in Nevada Dairy Cattle
Nevada initially reported H5N1 in dairy cows in December 2024, affecting a herd in Nye County. Recent testing has now confirmed the presence of the virus in Churchill County, which borders Nye County to the northwest. In response, state and federal authorities have quarantined affected herds and launched enhanced surveillance efforts, including testing wildlife to track the virus’s spread.
To mitigate transmission risks, the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) and USDA Wildlife Services will initiate the removal of non-native European starling populations in Churchill, Pershing, and Lyon counties. Authorities emphasize that these birds contribute to disease spread and contaminate food and water sources for livestock.
As part of ongoing efforts, the NDA has been testing milk silos under the National Milk Testing Strategy to detect the virus before dairy cows exhibit symptoms. Alongside Nevada’s four new H5N1 detections, APHIS also confirmed an additional case in a California dairy herd, bringing the national total to 956 and California’s total to 735.
