The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) have announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared Illinois to be “unaffected” by H5N1 avian influenza, a recognition of the state’s efforts working with local health departments, dairy farms, and agricultural organizations to keep the illness from impacting the state’s dairy supply. The USDA defines “unaffected” as “Ongoing testing and surveillance activities demonstrate absence of disease in dairy cattle in the State."
At the same time, the agencies are reminding the public that with migration season underway, infected wild birds may be found in Illinois, and stressed the need for appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of H5N1.
“Public health truly excels through the power of partnership,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “We, at IDPH, are grateful for our colleagues at the Illinois Department of Agriculture and at our local health departments, who worked with us to provide information, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other resources to protect dairy cattle and the people who work with them. We also appreciate the efforts of partners like the Illinois Farm Bureau and dairy farm operators who went the extra mile to keep our dairy supply safe. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to keep our Illinois residents safe and protected.”
“Illinois farmers are on the front lines managing the safety of our food supply chain,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “Our collaborative work across agencies and our commitment to take swift, science-based action has kept our dairy herds safe and our food supply secure to date. This designation by USDA reflects the vigilance and dedication of our farm families and the strength of our biosecurity efforts statewide.”
“Our priority is protecting the health of both farmers and their livestock,” said Brian Duncan, Illinois Farm Bureau President. “By working with state and local partners to provide PPE and guidance, we are helping dairy farmers take proactive steps to reduce risk and maintain confidence in their operations.”
H5N1, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), is a contagious illness found in waterfowl and other birds. It can be transmitted to cattle or humans who come in contact with an infected bird. IDPH and IDOA began closely monitoring dairy operations for signs of H5N1 in the spring of 2024. The coordinated effort overseen by the agencies has included educational materials and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize the risk of infection and prevent the potential spread of the illness.
Source : illinois.gov