Minnesota Goat Confirmed to Have Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

By Scout Nelson

A juvenile goat in Minnesota recently tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). While HPAI has been detected in predatory mammals that prey on infected birds, this is the first identified case of HPAI in domestic livestock in the U.S. The goat lived on the same premises where a poultry flock tested positive for HPAI in late February. The goat shared the same pasture and sole water source as the poultry flock.

HPAI is a known disease of wild and domestic poultry and waterfowl. There is limited information available about HPAI infection in ruminants, though in some species, animals with immature or compromised immune systems appear to be at greater risk of infection. Only young goats were afflicted in the Minnesota case, not mature goats. This case is being investigated by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“As we aim to protect livestock for our North Dakota producers, the risk of transmission increases during spring,” says Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist.

“While we don’t envision this zoonotic transmission to be commonplace, good biosecurity protocols separating livestock from poultry/waterfowl is a good production practice to reduce the potential spread of HPAI to our small ruminants during the spring migration of wild birds,” says Travis Hoffman, NDSU Extension sheep specialist.

“H5N1 HPAI has been detected in wild birds throughout all U.S. migratory flyways, says Dr. Gerald Stokka, NDSU Extension veterinarian and livestock stewardship specialist. “Wild birds can be infected without showing symptoms of the infection. While waterfowl are the primary carriers, positive cases are being documented in predatory birds and mammals, and now domestic goats.”

NDSU Extension experts support the biosecurity practices released by University of Minnesota Extension that can reduce the potential for domestic animals to contract HPAI. Recommended practices include:

• Do not allow poultry and livestock species access to ponds, wetlands and other stagnant water sources that are frequented by wild waterfowl such as ducks, geese or swans.
• Watch poultry and livestock for signs of illness, including reduced appetite, fever, inability to stand, depression, nasal discharge, diarrhea, coughing and change in behavior.
• Consider housing poultry separately from other livestock species and minimize poultry access to pasture areas that are grazed by other livestock species.
• Do not allow poultry, waterfowl and wildlife to share water sources and feedstuffs with other livestock species.

Click here to read more ndsu.edu

Photo Credit: pexels-pavel-bondarenko