The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to begin testing the nation’s milk supply for the H5N1 bird flu virus, which has been circulating among dairy cattle for nearly a year. The USDA will now require testing of raw milk samples from large storage tanks at dairy processing facilities across the country.
This move comes after a period of voluntary testing, during which many farms failed to comply, leaving the government uncertain about the extent of the virus’s spread. Beginning the week of December 16, the first round of mandatory testing will start in select states, marking a shift from the earlier non-mandatory guidance.
Previously, the USDA had encouraged voluntary testing of milk and dairy workers during the outbreak, but this approach led to insufficient data on the virus’s prevalence.
Experts have criticized the lack of testing, as it has hindered efforts to understand how far the virus might have spread and its potential risk to humans. Virologists and public health experts, including those from the World Health Organization, have stressed the importance of early detection, as each untreated infection could provide an opportunity for the virus to evolve into a more easily transmissible form.
USDA to Mandate Testing of Milk Supply for H5N1 Bird Flu Virus Amid Ongoing Outbreak
The new testing strategy focuses on bulk milk samples from farms across the country. Farmers will be required to provide raw milk samples upon government request, and farm owners with infected herds must supply details to help identify additional cases.
Testing will first occur in six states, including California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania, with the aim of monitoring and controlling the virus’s spread. California is currently at the epicenter of the outbreak, and testing will help track the situation in other states, especially those that have not yet reported infections.
The H5N1 virus has been shown to replicate easily in cows’ udders, making raw milk an ideal medium for the virus. While there have been no reported cases of people becoming ill from drinking pasteurized milk, some farm workers have been infected through exposure to raw milk, raising concerns about the potential risk of contamination in dairy processing.
California has already recalled some raw milk products after detecting the virus, highlighting the dangers for both farm workers and consumers of raw milk. Although pasteurized milk is safe, the USDA’s new strategy aims to prevent the virus from spreading further.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack expressed that the new testing measures will help farmers protect both their animals and them, while also halting the nationwide spread of the virus. However, it remains uncertain whether the program will continue under the incoming administration.
The USDA’s last major mandate, issued in April, required testing of lactating dairy cows before moving them across state lines. With the virus now affecting 720 herds in 15 states and more than 50 people infected, the testing program aims to gain better control over the outbreak and prevent future transmission.
