Minnesota Dairy Herds Declared H5N1 Free

By Scout Nelson

Minnesota dairy herds are now officially classified as unaffected by the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved this change after four consecutive months of raw milk testing with no detections.

With the new status, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will lower its milk sampling schedule from once a month to about once every two months. Federal restrictions on animal movement between states will remain in place to help prevent the spread of the virus.

In February 2025, the MDA, working with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH), began participating in the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS). This program monitors for the H5N1 virus to protect dairy herds and poultry flocks.

“We and the Board are extremely grateful for the dairy industry’s cooperation in achieving this important milestone and for supporting the health and vitality of Minnesota’s livestock and poultry industries,” MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen said.

The state reported only one case of H5N1 in March, with no detections since then. Continued negative results through the fall could lead to even less frequent testing, but routine monitoring will continue until all 50 states achieve Unaffected status.

Dairy farmers do not need to act for testing, as sampling is handled through industry laboratories that also conduct regular checks for other conditions.

Although H5N1 remains an emerging disease in dairy cattle, most affected herds in the United States have recovered fully. The virus still poses a serious threat to poultry and can cause illness in humans, so rapid response is essential whenever the virus is detected in livestock.

If future tests identify H5N1 in a dairy herd, the MDA or BAH will assign a case manager to guide the farm through quarantine and follow-up testing to contain the outbreak.

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