The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has mandated raw milk testing across the nation to address the spread of bird flu, marking a significant step in controlling the H5N1 virus. The agency's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the federal order on Friday, launching a comprehensive national milk testing strategy.

Multi-Stage Testing Strategy

Under the new directive, samples from the raw milk supply will be collected and tested upon request. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the initiative's potential to protect farmworkers, ensure animal safety, and curb the virus's nationwide spread.

Starting December 16, the first round of testing will focus on six states: California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. This strategy builds on an April federal order requiring dairy cattle to test negative for H5N1 before interstate movement.

Bird Flu Cases Surge

The USDA has intensified its response following outbreaks in older dairy cows in Texas and Kansas earlier this year. As of Friday, approximately 720 cases across 15 states have been confirmed, with California reporting over 500 since March.

The California Department of Public Health recently expanded a voluntary recall of raw milk and cream from Raw Farm LLC due to possible bird flu contamination.

The USDA's testing plan involves five stages, beginning with silo and herd testing and advancing to bulk tank sampling. Once herds are declared unaffected, periodic testing will aim to ensure the virus's absence from the national dairy supply.

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra underscored the initiative's importance in safeguarding public health and food safety, pledging continued collaboration with the USDA to monitor both raw and pasteurized dairy products.

This national effort highlights the government’s commitment to controlling the H5N1 outbreak and protecting both agriculture and public health.