Feds to test raw milk for bird flu nationwide

Bird flu in raw milk overview: 

• Who: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced it will test milk nationwide to address the spread of bird flu in dairy herds. 
• Why: There has been an outbreak of bird flu infections in cattle since approximately March 2024, and the federal government is trying to control the virus’s spread. 
• Where: Testing will occur in the 48 contiguous states of the U.S.

The federal government has launched a national milk testing strategy to combat bird flu amid an ongoing multistate outbreak of the disease in U.S. dairy cows, with several recent human cases in U.S. dairy workers. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled its new National Milk Testing Strategy on Dec. 6 as part of its plan to address the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in dairy herds. 

There has been an outbreak of bird flu infections in cattle since about March this year, and the federal government is trying to control the virus’s spread, it said. In total, there have been more than 700 cases recorded across 16 states, from California to North Carolina. 

The initiative introduces a federal order requiring nationwide testing for bird flu in raw milk samples and aims to enhance biosecurity measures across the U.S. dairy industry, the notice states.

“Since the first HPAI detection in livestock, USDA has collaborated with our federal, state, and industry partners to swiftly and diligently identify affected herds and respond accordingly,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “This new milk testing strategy will build on those steps to date and will provide a roadmap for states to protect the health of their dairy herds.”

USDA introduces five-stage plan for testing for bird flu in raw milk 

The government’s strategy outlines a five-stage approach to identify and mitigate H5N1 spread. 

Initial stages involve nationwide silo monitoring and state-level bulk tank sampling, progressing to rapid response measures in affected areas, the notice says. 

Unaffected states will maintain routine surveillance to ensure the disease does not re-emerge, while long-term national monitoring will aim to ensure H5N1 is stamped out.

California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania are among the first states participating in the strategy, the USDA says. Testing will begin the week of Dec. 16.

The federal order also mandates raw milk sample sharing, contact tracing, and mandatory reporting of positive results. The USDA says the initiative extends beyond dairy herds, aiming to protect farmworkers and communities. 

“This testing strategy is a critical part of our ongoing efforts to protect the health and safety of individuals and communities nationwide,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said. 

To date, USDA has conducted testing in all 48 contiguous states and provided biosecurity support to dairy farms, it said. As of Dec. 10, the government had confirmed 249 new cases of bird flu in cattle, with the cases recorded across California and Nevada.

In other milk-related news, in September, HP Hood recalled five batches of Lactaid 96-ounce milk carton varieties sold across 27 states across the country as the milk may contain trace amounts of undeclared almonds.

What do you think of the federal government testing for bird flu in raw milk? Let us know in the comments.

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