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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a new federal order requiring nationwide testing of raw milk for bird flu. Announced on Friday (December 6), the order mandates that entities handling raw milk, such as bulk milk transporters and dairy processors, collect and share samples with the USDA. The goal is to quickly identify dairy herds affected by the H5N1 strain of bird flu, which has caused outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows.
The testing aims to prevent the spread of the virus among livestock and ensure the safety of the national milk supply. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated that the testing will help farmers and farmworkers protect their animals and themselves.
The first round of testing is set to begin on December 16. The testing strategy will involve stages, starting with identifying disease presence in milk silos at dairy processing facilities, followed by identifying infected herds through bulk tank sampling.
Testing will also help track the virus's path and provide a roadmap for states to protect their dairy herds. California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania will be among the first states to undergo mandatory testing following recent outbreaks.
The USDA will work with each state to implement the testing. As of Thursday, 718 dairy herds across 15 states have tested positive for bird flu, with California being the most affected.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that 58 people in the U.S. have been infected with the virus. The USDA has assured that pasteurized milk remains safe, as the heating process kills dangerous pathogens. However, public health officials warn against consuming raw milk, which is not pasteurized and could transmit the virus.