USDA Orders Testing of Milk for Bird Flu
Nationwide Effort to Identify Affected Dairy Herds
The national milk supply must be tested for bird flu under a federal order announced Friday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Entities handling raw milk, such as bulk milk transporters or dairy processors, must collect and share samples with the USDA upon request.
Goal of the Order
The goal is to quickly identify which dairy herds are affected by H5N1, the strain of bird flu that’s causing outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows, and prevent transmission among livestock. As of Thursday, 718 dairy herds have been affected in 15 states.
Agriculture Secretary’s Statement
“Among many outcomes, this will give farmers and farmworkers better confidence in the safety of their animals and ability to protect themselves, and it will put us on a path to quickly controlling and stopping the virus’ spread nationwide,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a press release.
Initial Testing Round
The initial round of testing under the order is set to begin on December 16. The rollout will start with six states: California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.
Additional Requirements
In addition to the testing mandate, the order requires dairy herd owners with cattle that test positive for bird flu to provide information that can help with surveillance.
Previous Requirements
The USDA previously issued a federal order in April that required lactating dairy cows to be tested for bird flu before being shipped across state lines, and required private labs and state veterinarians to report positive cases based on those tests. Those requirements remain in place under the new order as well.
Renewed Urgency
The order responds to renewed urgency to address the rapid spread of bird flu among livestock in recent months, which scientists worry could eventually pose a more widespread risk to human health.
Raw Milk Consumption
Drinking raw, or untreated, milk has risen in popularity, despite warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that it might be possible to contract bird flu that way. Several studies have shown that commercial pasteurization – using heat to treat milk – inactivates the virus, making milk that’s safe for consumption.
Regulation of Raw Milk
The Food and Drug Administration regulates the sale of raw milk across state lines, but as many as 30 states allow it to be sold locally.
California Recall
In November, California health officials detected bird flu in multiple batches of raw milk from a local dairy farm. On Tuesday, the California Department of Public Health announced a broad recall of the farm’s raw milk and cream on retail shelves – though no human bird flu cases have been linked to the products.
Human Cases
To date, the CDC has confirmed 58 human cases of bird flu in the U.S. The vast majority were exposed to infected cattle or poultry. Arizona reported an additional two cases in poultry workers on Friday – the first in the state.
Symptoms
Symptoms so far have been mild, and often include pinkeye, coughs, or sneezes. However, the CDC reported last month that some cases may be asymptomatic, so the agency recommends that anyone who has been exposed to bird flu get tested.
Transmission
Research on dairy farms has shown the virus spreads efficiently between mammals, including from cows to other species like raccoons and cats. Scientists think the virus likely spreads between farm animals through raw milk, because infected cows shed large amounts of the virus through their mammary glands.
Conclusion
The USDA’s order is a crucial step in addressing the bird flu outbreak and protecting public health. By testing milk for bird flu, the agency can quickly identify affected dairy herds and prevent transmission among livestock.
FAQs
Q: What is the goal of the USDA’s order?
A: The goal is to quickly identify which dairy herds are affected by H5N1 and prevent transmission among livestock.
Q: How many dairy herds have been affected by bird flu?
A: As of Thursday, 718 dairy herds have been affected in 15 states.
Q: What is the current status of human cases?
A: To date, the CDC has confirmed 58 human cases of bird flu in the U.S. The vast majority were exposed to infected cattle or poultry.
