The USDA confirmed HPAI in two additional dairy herds in North Carolina and South Dakota. The virus has now been confirmed in eight states.

In response, at least 18 states have restricted cattle movement. According to the Veterinary Medical Association, these include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia.

Federal and state authorities maintain that the virus poses a low risk to people and consumers. Pasteurized milk and dairy products remain safe to consume and dairy producers should continue to remain vigilant about advanced biosecurity on farms.

Earlier this week, the World Health Organization also assessed the public health risk to the general population posed by this virus to be low. For occupationally exposed persons, the risk of infection is considered low to moderate.

Read more about the spread of HPAI in diary herds here.