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Now, raw milk samples from across the country will be collected and shared with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for avian flu testing. Federal order issued Friday.
The USDA’s order significantly increases testing to combat the outbreak, which has infected more than 50 people and wiped out hundreds of dairy cows. Prior to the announcement, the department focused its testing efforts on states where avian influenza has been reported and interstate movement of cattle.
The order requires that raw milk samples from dairy farms, bulk milk transporters, and dairy processing facilities be shared with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service upon request.
The order requires livestock owners whose cattle test positive for avian influenza to share information with health officials to enable contact tracing and disease surveillance. Private laboratories and state veterinarians are also required to report positive avian flu tests to the USDA.
This command marks the beginning of agency. National Milk Testing StrategyWe plan to expand testing at the local level first, and then at individual farms as needed until it is determined that herds in that area are virus-free. APHIS will begin nationwide testing of milk silos at U.S. dairy processing facilities to help identify potentially affected herds and where diseases exist.
“Since the first discovery of HPAI in livestock, USDA has worked with federal, state and industry partners to quickly and diligently identify affected herds and respond accordingly,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. “This new milk testing strategy will build on the steps taken to date and provide a roadmap for states to protect the health of their dairy cows.”
The first tests under the new requirements are scheduled to begin the week of December 16, the USDA said.
The domestic regulations come after the H5N1 virus was discovered in retail raw milk. Samples from Raw Farm of Fresno, California The recall has been expanded These are some of the products that hit store shelves earlier this week. State officials quarantined the farm and halted distribution of raw milk, cream, kefir, butter and cheese products produced between Nov. 9 and Nov. 27.
The United States has been struggling with avian flu outbreaks for several years, especially among poultry and wild birds. But it wasn’t until the first dairy cow became infected in late March that cases exploded among animals and became a threat to humans.
this year 58 people As of Dec. 6, they tested positive for avian flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The majority (32) were from California and contracted the virus after exposure to infected cattle.
“This testing strategy is an important part of our ongoing efforts to protect the health and safety of individuals and communities across the country.” said Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
