The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to significantly expand testing of raw milk from dairy farms across the country as a critical response to the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, which has been affecting dairy cattle since March. This initiative comes in the wake of increasing calls from infectious disease experts for more rigorous monitoring to effectively track and contain the virus.

In a federal order issued on Friday, the USDA mandated that milk samples be shared upon request from various sources including dairy farms, bulk milk shippers, and dairy processing facilities. This new strategy aims to bolster the safety of dairy farms and enable better protection for farmers and farmworkers, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized in a news release. “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’s spread nationwide,” he stated.

Farmers initially hesitated to support broadened testing due to concerns over potential income loss if quarantines were imposed on their herds. However, the USDA believes that early detection and control measures will mitigate risk and help sustain their livelihoods in the long run.

Under the new order, herd owners of cattle that test positive must share critical information for contact tracing and disease surveillance. Additionally, any laboratories or veterinarians with positive test results for H5N1 are now required to report these findings to the USDA.

Testing will kick off immediately in storage silos at dairy processing plants. Should any samples reveal the presence of the virus, officials will collaborate with state agencies to conduct bulk tank testing on farms to determine affected locations quickly and apply strengthened biosecurity measures. Continuous monitoring will remain in effect to ensure the absence of re-emerging infections post-clearance of herds.

The first round of extensive testing is slated to start the week of December 16, with California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania being the initial states involved. While California, Colorado, and Michigan have reported cases of infected herds, the inclusion of Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania—areas free of recorded issues—aims to assess and prevent potential threats before they escalate.

This comprehensive approach is part of the USDA’s newly announced National Milk Testing Strategy, first revealed in October. With the milk being tested prior to pasteurization—a vital process that eradicates harmful pathogens—authorities are reassured that even if H5N1 is found in the raw milk, current pasteurization methods will deactivate the virus, ensuring consumer safety.

As the nation rallies to counteract this health threat, dairy farmers and consumers alike are hopeful that these robust measures will successfully control the spread of bird flu and maintain the integrity of the country’s milk supply. Stay tuned, as the impact of these efforts unfolds!