The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced sweeping new measures aimed at tackling the spread of bird flu, requiring all dairy farms nationwide to participate in testing protocols beginning December 16. This initiative, dubbed the "National Milk Testing Strategy," is part of efforts to monitor and control the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1, which has recently begun spilling over from poultry populations to dairy cattle.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack explained the need for this new testing protocol, noting, "Among many outcomes, this will give farmers and farmworkers greater confidence in the safety of their animals and their ability to protect themselves, and it will put us on a path to quickly controlling and stopping the virus’ spread nationwide." He emphasized the importance of the initiative as part of safeguarding public health and the integrity of the milk supply.
The testing will involve sampling unpasteurized milk from dairy farms, which has come under scrutiny following reports of the virus being detected even in pasteurized milk samples collected by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Vilsack indicated the USDA's intention to expand testing efforts, especially since California has seen the most significant outbreaks, with over 500 dairy herds infected since the virus first emerged.
While the overall public health risk remains low, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported nearly 60 humans—mostly farmworkers—infected by the virus, highlighting the risk associated with working closely with affected animals. Symptoms for those infected have been mild, and health officials continue to affirm there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission currently.
To provide clarity, the USDA will require dairy farms and handlers to submit raw milk samples upon request. If any dairy herd tests positive for H5N1, those farms will also be responsible for advancing epidemiological information which will be utilized for contact tracing and other necessary public health surveillance measures. Vilsack stated, "The pace of testing will depend on whether the virus is detected during initial sampling," indicating adaptability within the action plan based on real-time results.
The testing order will first target states like California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. These states were selected possibly due to their varying degrees of risk and incidence, with California being noted as the epicenter of the outbreak. With nearly half of California's dairy operations reporting infection, the state's current response includes recalling certain raw milk products after some were found to carry traces of the virus.
Previously, the USDA initiated voluntary bulk tank testing beginning this summer to ease the process for farmers wishing to transport cattle across state boundaries. They have also been conducting year-long studies to evaluate the safety of consuming meat from dairy cattle, aiming to bolster confidence among consumers and industry stakeholders alike.
Meanwhile, the FDA makes it clear about safety measures related to dairy consumption, particularly urging consumers to avoid unpasteurized milk, which does not undergo the necessary heating process to eliminate pathogens, including the bird flu virus. The agency continues to affirm the safety of pasteurized milk and dairy products.
For dairy producers, the new mandate presents both challenges and opportunities. The USDA's expanded testing regimen not only provides farmers insight about their herds but also has the potential to reinforce consumer confidence through transparent practices aimed at food safety.
Vilsack concluded by emphasizing the USDA's commitment by stating, "We will continue this work with the HHS for as long and as far as necessary to uphold public health regulations and safeguard our dairy supply." The initiative reflects a proactive approach to managing potential zoonotic diseases and highlights inter-agency cooperation between agriculture and public health sectors as they navigate the unlikely but serious intersection of livestock husbandry and infectious disease control.