Indiana BOAH shares quarterly livestock, animal health update

INDIANAPOLIS — As demand for Indiana dairy and meat processing expands, Indiana State Board of Animal Health leaders say that robust biosecurity and rapid diagnostic capabilities are more important than ever.

“Every day, the dedicated team at BOAH fulfills our legislative charge by protecting animal health and ensuring a safe, reliable food supply for all Hoosiers,” said Kyle Shipman, Indiana state veterinarian, in a letter to Hoosiers.

“In recent years, BOAH has seen rising demand across many areas — from expansion in Indiana’s dairy processing and new meat processing plants to more support for local agencies conducting animal welfare investigations.

“We remain committed to meeting these needs responsibly and efficiently because safeguarding animal health is a direct investment in Indiana’s agricultural resilience.”

During their October meeting, members of the board voted to approve fees for a suite of tests being offered at the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

They also held public hearings for a proposal to update Indiana’s swine brucellosis and pseudorabies rules and for a proposal to modify Indiana’s cervid rules.

Six Takeaways

1. Dairy health monitoring — During its October meeting, BOAH reported continued bulk-milk monitoring under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Milk Testing Strategy. Since that meeting, H5N1 avian influenza has been confirmed in two operationally connected dairy herds in Newton County in northwestern Indiana. USDA confirmed the detections Nov. 2. Both premises have been placed under quarantine, and BOAH is continuing its disease surveillance and response efforts.

2. National disease monitoring and entry restrictions — BOAH is closely monitoring the spread of New World screwworm following recent detections along the U.S. southern border and in Texas.

3. Expanding local meat processors — Indiana currently has 27 meat processing plants enrolled in the Cooperative Interstate Shipping Program, allowing qualifying state-inspected facilities to ship products across state lines. Eleven states currently offer the program.

4. Digital traceability transition — Indiana animal health officials encourage veterinary practices and livestock owners to adopt electronic certificates of veterinary inspection. The push comes as neighboring states prepare to mandate all-digital CVIs for livestock imports starting Jan. 1.

5. Equine and wildlife disease surveillance — Autumn surveillance confirmed fall cases of H5 avian influenza in wild birds in Greene and Hamilton counties, alongside an isolated, resolved case in a Jay County duck flock. Additionally, four cases of West Nile virus were identified in unvaccinated horses across Porter, Lake, Wayne and Adams counties.

6. Animal welfare and field investigations — During the third quarter, BOAH received 161 animal welfare inquiries, resulting in 93 official care investigations. BOAH also continued joint operations with local and state enforcement agencies to disrupt illegal animal fighting rings across the state.