USDA mandates nationwide bulk milk testing to combat bird flu outbreaks

USA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a new federal order mandating nationwide bulk milk tank testing to address the ongoing bird flu outbreaks in dairy herds.

According to the USDA, the initiative aims to facilitate comprehensive surveillance of the H5N1 virus, which has been circulating among U.S. dairy cattle since its detection in March this year. The first round of testing under this new strategy is set to begin on December 16.

In a statement released Friday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the importance of the program, stating, “This new milk testing strategy will build on those steps to date and will provide a roadmap for states to protect the health of their dairy herds.”

“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.”

The announcement marks a significant step in the fight against the bird flu outbreak, which has already impacted over 700 dairy herds across 15 states, as reported by federal data.

California, the country’s largest dairy-producing state, has been the hardest hit, accounting for more than 500 affected herds.

The USDA has reiterated that the nation’s pasteurized milk supply remains safe, as the heating process effectively eliminates dangerous pathogens.

However, public health officials have issued warnings against the consumption of raw milk, which remains unpasteurized and could pose a transmission risk for the virus.

As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bird flu infections have also affected human health, with 58 reported cases this year in the United States.

Among these, 35 were dairy workers and 21 were poultry workers, all exhibiting mild symptoms primarily characterized by eye irritation.

There have been no confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission, and health officials remain confident in their containment strategies.

The new testing strategy introduces a phased, national approach to monitoring and controlling the virus.

According to the USDA, the program will begin with the sampling of milk silos at processing facilities to determine disease prevalence, followed by bulk tank testing at farms to pinpoint infected herds.

States will then implement rapid response measures, including movement restrictions, contact tracing, and incentives to control further spread.

California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania are among the first states to undergo testing under the new strategy.

Colorado’s earlier decision to mandate bulk milk testing has already proven effective, with only one active herd infection currently reported in the state.

Dr. K. Fred Gingrich II, executive director of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, underscored the value of the USDA’s approach, noting that testing not only protects the food supply but also enables officials to trace the virus’s progression and mitigate its spread.

With bird flu posing a persistent challenge to both public health and the dairy industry, the USDA’s comprehensive testing mandate aims to provide reassurance to farmers, consumers, and industry stakeholders.

As the program unfolds, state and federal agencies will continue working closely to monitor outcomes and ensure long-term protection against the virus.