BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH ANNOUNCING NEW TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR DAIRY COWS

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has announced new testing requirements for dairy cows due to the H5N1 influenza.  The board says all currently producing milk dairy cows must have both a negative H5N1 test results and Certificate of Veterinary Inspection to attend any exhibition in Minnesota.  A vet must oversee or collect samples from each animal traveling to an exhibition within seven days before arriving at an event.  If samples are positive for influenza, the lab will notify the Board of the results and the Board will contact the producer to quarantine the cows and start a disease investigation.  Livestock owners can find more information on the USDA’s website.