HPAI Testing Order for Cattle Ends
Published: Friday, May 8, 2026
Lactating dairy cattle moving out of Indiana in interstate commerce no longer need to be tested for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) prior to shipment under a just-announced policy from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The announcement updates USDA's April 2024 federal order. The new guidance bases HPAI-testing requirement on the state-of-origin status under the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS).
Effective immediately, lactating dairy cattle originating from states classified as NMTS Unaffected States do not need to be tested for HPAI prior to interstate movement.
Indiana is currently classified at NMTS Stage 4, Unaffected.
Under the modified guidance, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health must continue surveillance of the state's commercial milk supply to maintain unaffected status. Each month, BOAH collects surveillance samples of unpasteurized milk from tanker trucks upon arrival at processing facilities. This collection method has proven to be the most efficient and effective way to assure Hoosiers that Indiana's milk supply has not been affected by HPAI.
To date, the H5N1 influenza virus has not been diagnosed at Indiana dairy farms through milk testing or interstate cattle movements. Updates on state status and surveillance reports are available on BOAH's online dashboard.
According to BOAH, Hoosiers can be confident in the safety of the dairy supply. Avian influenza virus has not been detected in Indiana. Pasteurization has been proven to inactivate the HPAI virus. Milk from affected animals would be diverted or destroyed to prevent entry to the food supply. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to consider the public health risk low.
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