| AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received confirmation of the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in diagnostic samples from a Texas dairy. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in Texas dairy cattle this year. Following observed clinical signs, including sick cows and milk production drops, samples were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory and confirmed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory on May 30, 2026. The TAHC is working to conduct epidemiological investigations and evaluate the situation further. The dairy is currently under quarantine as part of existing response protocols, and state and federal officials are working closely to mitigate disease spread. According to USDA APHIS, there is no concern that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health or the safety of the commercial milk supply. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is confident that pasteurization is effective at inactivating H5N1, and that the commercial, pasteurized milk supply is safe. Dairies are required to send only milk from healthy animals into processing for human consumption; milk from impacted animals is being diverted from the commercial milk tank or destroyed so that it does not enter the human food supply. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), H5N1 viruses circulating in birds and U.S. dairy cattle are believed to pose a low risk to the general public in the United States. Practicing sound biosecurity is key to mitigating disease introduction and spread. These practices should be implemented on all dairies and practiced by all those in contact with both birds and dairy cattle. Additional biosecurity resources are available through Secure Milk Supply. Texas is an active participant in the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) and previously demonstrated elimination of the virus in Texas dairy herds. While this strategy is not how this case was detected, the state will continue to facilitate comprehensive HPAI surveillance in dairy herds and the milk supply to decrease the risk of transmission. The TAHC recommends the following for all Texas dairy and poultry producers: - Closely observe and report sudden increases in the number of sick dairy cattle or birds or bird deaths to the TAHC at 1-800-550-8242 or APHIS 1-866-536-7593.
- Prevent contact between domestic animals and wild birds.
- Avoid visits to other premises with susceptible animals and wash hands before and after handling susceptible animals. Quarantine and manage incoming animals separately for a period of time to reduce disease introduction and prevent spread.
- Test dairy cattle for HPAI if the source state is reported as affected, as required by USDA APHIS.
- Find more information about HPAI and dairy cattle on the TAHC website.
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