Bird flu tests boost dairy safety

By Scout Nelson

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has initiated a new pilot program in four states—Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas—to voluntarily test dairy farm milk tanks for bird flu.

This program is designed to simplify the process for farmers wanting to transport herds across state lines and aid public health officials in tracking the virus's spread.

"We are in close conversation with about a dozen other states who are very interested in participating as well," stated Eric Deeble, the acting senior advisor for H5N1 response at USDA.

This proactive step marks a significant advancement in managing and understanding the bird flu virus, also known as H5N1, which has been part of an ongoing outbreak affecting dairy cattle and the poultry industry.

Farmers who join this voluntary scheme can move their herds without needing further tests if their bulk milk samples test negative for H5N1 for three consecutive weeks.

"Producers must also comply with continued regular weekly monitoring and testing of their herd for H5N1," Deeble added, emphasizing the ease with which this can integrate into routine practices.

The pilot's inception comes in response to the broader challenges posed by bird flu, with 126 confirmed cases in dairy cattle across a dozen states. The affected states include high numbers in Idaho, Michigan, and Texas, showcasing a widespread issue that this testing aims to mitigate.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expanding its testing to include various dairy products such as cheeses and creams.

"This retail sampling effort is intended to address remaining geographic and product gaps from the initial sampling of the commercial milk supply that FDA conducted between April and May of this year," explained Don Prater, acting director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at the FDA.

By implementing these tests, the USDA and FDA hope to reassure the public about the safety of the national milk supply and underline the importance of stringent safety protocols in the dairy industry. These measures reflect a concerted effort to keep the agricultural sector resilient against health challenges while ensuring the integrity of the U.S. food supply.

Photo Credit -usda