The United States is ramping up efforts to combat the spread of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, with a new federal mandate requiring testing of the national milk supply.
Announced by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Friday, the order aims to swiftly identify infected dairy herds and protect public health.
Milk Supply to be Tested for Bird Flu
Under the mandate, entities handling raw milk, including dairy processors, must collect samples for analysis by agriculture officials. This proactive measure comes as bird flu continues to spread rapidly through US dairy herds.
Since March, over 700 dairy herds across the country, primarily in California, have been infected.
While nearly 60 individuals have contracted the virus since April, cases have generally presented with mild symptoms. Health organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), emphasize that the overall public health risk remains low.
However, scientists stress the importance of closely monitoring the virus’s trajectory.
“This campaign is aimed at swiftly and diligently identifying affected dairy herds,” stated Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
“Among many outcomes, this will give farmers and farmworkers better confidence in the safety of their animals and ability to protect themselves. It will put us on a path to quickly controlling and stopping the virus’ spread nationwide,” he added.
Testing Plan Details
The testing plan involves monthly or weekly sample collections, initially focusing on California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Oregon.
Secretary Vilsack announced that the initial round of testing will commence on December 16.
This new order complements an existing federal mandate from April requiring milk-producing cows to be tested before interstate movement.
As of this year, the CDC has confirmed 57 human cases of bird flu across seven US states. Notably, in September, a case was reported in Missouri with no known animal exposure. The individual, who was hospitalized, has since recovered.
Just this past Friday, Arizona confirmed its first human cases, both linked to poultry work. State officials reiterate that the public health risk remains low.
Bird flu, first detected in China in the 1990s, has spread globally, affecting wildlife such as sea lions, seals, and bears.
While the current risk to humans remains low, global health authorities continue to closely monitor the situation.
Stay informed about bird flu developments and preventive measures by visiting the websites of the CDC and WHO.