Alpacas have been added to the growing list of species with positive infections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
The positive tests were confirmed on an Idaho operation where poultry had previously tested positive earlier this month and have since been depopulated, according to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL).
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and NVSL said the viral genome sequence from the alpacas is the same sequence currently circulating in dairy cattle.
As of May 30, 2024, dairy cattle herds in 9 states had positive confirmations of the virus: Idaho, South Dakota, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas, Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina.
Nebraska has not yet had a confirmed case in dairy cattle.
