USDA Declares Minnesota Dairy Herds Unaffected by Bird Flu

Minnesota dairy herds have officially been declared “unaffected” by the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) virus, the USDA confirmed in September 2025. After one case earlier this year, months of negative testing allowed Minnesota to regain “Unaffected” status under the National Milk Testing Strategy. The change reduces testing frequency but keeps interstate movement restrictions in place, as bird flu continues to affect herds in Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, and Idaho.