The impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus infection on dairy cows

Felipe Peña-Mosca, Elisha A. Frye, Matthew J. MacLachlan, Ana Rita Rebelo, Pablo S. B. Oliveira, Mohammed Nooruzzaman, Melanie Prarat Koscielny, Michael Zurakowski, Zoe R. Lieberman, William M. Leone, François Elvinger, Daryl V. Nydam () and Diego G. Diel ()
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Felipe Peña-Mosca: Cornell University
Elisha A. Frye: Cornell University
Matthew J. MacLachlan: Cornell University
Ana Rita Rebelo: Cornell University
Pablo S. B. Oliveira: Cornell University
Mohammed Nooruzzaman: Cornell University
Melanie Prarat Koscielny: Ohio Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory
Michael Zurakowski: Cornell University
Zoe R. Lieberman: Cornell University
William M. Leone: Forthright Dairy Consulting
François Elvinger: Cornell University
Daryl V. Nydam: Cornell University
Diego G. Diel: Cornell University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus has been associated with severe mastitis in dairy cows, leading to decreased milk production. Here we investigated the impact of H5N1 virus infection in health and production parameters in an affected dairy herd in Ohio. Clinical disease, which lasted for about three weeks, was recorded in 20.0% (777/3876) of the adult cows. Milk losses of ~900 kg per cow were recorded in affected cows during a 60 day-post-outbreak period. Seroprevalence was 89.4% (570/637) in the herd, with 76.1% (485/637) of seropositive animals being subclinically infected. Clinically affected cows presented an increased risk of death (6 times) and of premature herd removal (3.6 times) when compared to non-clinical cows. Economic losses due to decreased milk production, mortality, and early herd removal were estimated at $950 per clinically affected cow for a total cost of ~$737,500 for the herd during the observation period. Our results demonstrate a production impact lasting at least 60 days post-clinical diagnosis and major financial consequences of HPAI H5N1 virus infection to dairy farms.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61553-z

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