USDA announces new milk testing to address avian flu in dairy herds

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the start of its National Milk Testing Strategy, which builds on measures taken by USDA and federal and state partners since the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in dairy cattle was first detected in March 2024.

The USDA is issuing a new federal order, as well as accompanying guidance, requiring that raw (unpasteurized) milk samples nationwide be collected and shared with USDA for testing. This new guidance from USDA, which was developed with significant input from state, veterinary and public health stakeholders, will facilitate comprehensive H5N1 surveillance of the nation’s milk supply and dairy herds.

This NMTS is designed to increase USDA’s and public health partners’ understanding of the virus’ spread in the United States through a structured and mandatory testing system that will help identify which states, and specific herds within them, are affected with H5N1.

Read Full Article Here