As indicated by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was detected in a dairy herd in North Carolina. HPAI was previously detected in dairy herds in Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Idaho, New Mexico and Ohio. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today issued the following statement in regard to public health concerns:

The NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and the NC Department of Health and Human Services are in close communication on this matter. Both agencies believe the overall risk to the general public remains low. There are no concerns with the safety of the commercial milk supply at this time because products are pasteurized before entering the market. People should not consume or prepare food with raw or unpasteurized milk. You can view updated information and guidance from the CDC here and the FDA here.

The rapid identification of HPAI and the collaboration among local, state and federal agricultural and public health partners are examples of a unified, coordinated response and action plan to ensure the safety of people and families.

For more information from USDA on HPAI in dairy herds visit: www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/hpai-dairy-faqs.pdf.