January 2026: HPAI DETECTED in clinton county

Federal and state authorities report a confirmed case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a Clinton County backyard flock.

"The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA) Office of State Veterinarian (OSV) is working closely with federal animal health officials and other state agencies to contain this incident of avian influenza,” Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said. “Protecting the health of livestock and poultry in the Commonwealth is a top priority of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.”
HPAI is known to be deadly for domesticated chickens and turkeys. On January 8, representatives at the Clinton County premises alerted KDA of increased mortality in their flock. Testing at Tennessee's C. E. KORD Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed the presence of HPAI. To read more updates and information about HPAI click here.

December 2025: HPAI DETECTED in JESSAMINE county

Federal and state authorities report a confirmed case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a Jessamine County backyard poultry flock.

Kentucky State Veterinarian Dr. Steve Velasco III said the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the presence of HPAI in samples taken from the Jessamine County premises.

"The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA) Office of State Veterinarian (OSV) is working closely with federal animal health officials and other state agencies to contain this incident of avian influenza,” Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said. “Protecting the health of livestock and poultry in the Commonwealth is a top priority of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.”

HPAI is known to be deadly for domesticated chickens and turkeys. On Dec. 6, representatives at the Jessamine County premises alerted KDA of increased mortality in their flock. Testing at the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed the presence of HPAI. To read more updates and information about HPAI click here.

Federal order issued regarding dairy cattle requirement

Veterinarians, Exhibitors, & Producers; Federal Order issued on Monday, April 29, 2024
Mandatory Testing for Interstate Movement of Lactating Dairy Cattle

If you still have questions about animal movement after reading all of the below information, please "Call Before You Haul"--502-573-0282 (Office of State Veterinarian)

Prior to interstate movement, lactating dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory. This test must be performed within 7 days prior to shipment. Within Kentucky, the two NAHLN labs are UKVDL(https://vdl.uky.edu/) and BVC (https://breathitt.murraystate.edu/). Exception: If moving directly to slaughter from State of origin aggregation site or facility of origin.

Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive for interstate movement will be required to provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing. Lactating dairy cattle from herds which have tested positive for Influenza A are not eligible for interstate movement for thirty (30) days from the most recent collection of any sample that tests positive from any individual animal in the herd. After the 30-day period, animals must be tested again for movement.

Dairy cattle moving interstate must adhere to conditions specified by APHIS. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) is required for all interstate movements of dairy cattle regardless of age or sex. This includes dairy cattle coming into Kentucky from another state to a Kentucky livestock market. Check with state of destination SAHOs for any other requirements.

Dairy Cattle coming from an affected state (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon (detected in a hog), South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming) must obtain an OSV issued permit prior to movement into Kentucky and permit number stated on the Interstate CVI. All cattle on the CVI must have individual official identification.

The individual official identification must be recorded on the CVI.
The CVI must include a statement that the cattle are both free from, and have not been exposed to, a known contagious and infectious disease.

All Dairy Cattle from Affected States (FO + Kentucky)

CVI or Owner Shipper Statement
Appropriate ID (OID or Backtag)

Clinical Signs of HPAI in Dairy Cattle:

Sudden drop in feed intake
Acute drop in milk production
Severely affected cattle may have thickened colostrum-like milk or no milk
Abnormal tacky or loose feces
Lethargic, dehydrated and fever
Respiratory signs including clear nasal discharge
Additional variable clinical signs
Affected cattle may be asymptomatic (subclinical)

Livestock Market Owners/Operators: Federal Order issued on Monday, April 29, 2024

Mandatory Testing for Interstate Movement of Lactating Dairy Cattle

Prior to interstate movement, lactating dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory. This test must be performed within 7 days prior to shipment. Within Kentucky, the two NAHLN labs are UKVDL (https://vdl.uky.edu/) and BVC (https://breathitt.murraystate.edu/). Exception: If moving directly to slaughter from State of origin aggregation site or facility of origin.
Dairy cattle moving interstate must adhere to conditions specified by APHIS. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) is required for all interstate movements of dairy cattle regardless of age or sex. This includes dairy cattle coming into Kentucky from another state to a Kentucky livestock market. Check with state of destination SAHOs for any other requirements.

Dairy Cattle coming from an affected state (California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming must obtain an OSV issued permit prior to movement into Kentucky and permit number stated on the Interstate CVI.

All cattle on the CVI must have individual official identification.

The individual official identification must be recorded on the CVI.
The CVI must include a statement that the cattle are both free from, and have not been exposed to, a known contagious and infectious disease.

A copy of the CVI must be retained by the livestock market.

All dairy cattle at a livestock market regardless of age or sex must be officially identified prior to leaving the livestock market unless they are going to be slaughtered within 72 hours after leaving the market (they can be moved interstate on a CVI with the backtag listed as official ID for slaughter within 72 hours after leaving the livestock market).

All Dairy Cattle from Affected States (FO + Kentucky)

CVI or Owner Shipper Statement
Appropriate ID (OID or Backtag)

Clinical Signs of HPAI in Dairy Cattle: If Dairy cattle are exhibiting these signs/history, it is recommended that they are not unloaded or be offered for sale. If dairy cattle are brought to livestock market from out of state without a CVI/Testing, if required, then the cattle should not be accepted for that sale.

Sudden drop in feed intake
Acute drop in milk production
Severely affected cattle may have thickened colostrum-like milk or no milk
Abnormal tacky or loose feces
Lethargic, dehydrated and fever
Respiratory signs including clear nasal discharge
Additional variable clinical signs
Affected cattle may be asymptomatic (subclinical)

DISEASE PREVENTION

The Office of the State Veterinarian is committed to protecting the health and well-being of Kentucky’s livestock and poultry. Through disease monitoring, prevention programs, and rapid response efforts, we work to safeguard animal populations, support producers, and maintain public confidence in the state’s agricultural industry. Click here to read more on our efforts.

OFFICE OF STATE VETERINARIAN

Protect the health and welfare of Kentucky's livestock, poultry, and agricultural industries
Promote an environment which enhances the economic and recreational opportunities and prosperity of Kentucky agriculture

CONTACT THE USDA

The USDA Import Number (animals coming into Kentucky from another country) is 301-851-3300. The email address is: VS.Live.Animal.Import.Export@aphis.usda.gov
For information on exporting animals out of the country, contact USDA Veterinary Services at 502-848-2040.
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP):
The VMLRP will pay up to $25,000 each year towards qualified educational loans of eligible veterinarians who agree to serve in a NIFA designated veterinarian shortage area for a period of three years.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Office of State Veterinarian is requested in the early part of each year to make the shortage area nominations for the State and to designate the type of shortage (Type I, Type II, or Type III) for each area. These nominations are reviewed by the NIFA program and all or a portion of the areas will be approved and posted on the NIFA site listed above. Once the areas are designated, veterinarians make application directly to NIFA to fill one of the designated areas. There are specific deadlines for applications that are listed on the NIFA site each year.