The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a new federal mandate to test raw, unpasteurized milk for bird flu. This decision comes in response to a multistate avian influenza outbreak affecting dairy cows, marking the first instance of the virus infiltrating the nation’s dairy supply.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the importance of this testing initiative, saying, “This new milk testing strategy will build on steps taken so far and provide a roadmap for states to protect the health of their dairy herds.” Vilsack added that the program aims to enhance farmers’ and farmworkers’ confidence in safeguarding their livestock and themselves while putting the nation on a path to swiftly controlling and halting the spread of the virus.

The outbreak began in March, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirming bird flu in dairy cows for the first time. Since then, the virus has affected approximately 720 herds across 15 states. California has been hit the hardest, with over 500 infected herds, followed by Colorado with 64 and Idaho with 35.

The bird flu outbreak has also impacted humans. As of December 6, the CDC reported 58 confirmed cases of avian influenza across seven states, with 32 in California alone. Among the California cases, 31 were linked to exposure to dairy cows. Other states with reported cases include Michigan (2 cases), Colorado (1 case), and Texas (1 case). Additionally, 21 human cases stemmed from exposure to poultry, with Washington reporting 11 of those cases.

The new federal order mandates dairy farms, bulk milk transporters, bulk milk transfer stations, and processing facilities to provide raw milk samples upon request for H5N1 testing. Herd owners with confirmed infections must submit epidemiological information to facilitate contact tracing and disease surveillance. Moreover, private laboratories and state veterinarians are required to report positive test results to the USDA.

The first phase of the milk-testing initiative will commence the week of December 16 in six states: California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. The testing process involves five monitoring stages, beginning with intensive surveillance and transitioning to periodic sampling once all herds in a state are deemed unaffected.

Despite the outbreak, Alan Bjerga, Executive Vice President of Communications for the National Milk Producers Federation, stated that bird flu’s incidence in dairy cattle has not significantly impacted milk production or prices. “The small number of infected herds relative to overall U.S. dairy production has minimized any disruption,” Bjerga said. The USDA’s new testing strategy is not expected to alter this dynamic.

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