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USDA to test raw milk to identify H5N1 in cattle

December 6, 2024

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a federal order Friday requiring nationwide collection of unpasteurized milk samples for H5N1 testing to quickly identify affected herds and implement safety measures.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 58 human cases of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. since a dairy cattle outbreak began in April. Most have been among farm workers and linked to exposure to cattle or poultry. Two pediatric cases were reported in November. A teenager in Canada was hospitalized in critical condition, and a child in California who might have been in contact with wild birds reported mild symptoms.

“Since the first (bird flu) detection in livestock, USDA has collaborated with our federal, state and industry partners to swiftly and diligently identify affected herds and respond accordingly,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a news release. “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.”

Vilsack told Reuters on Friday that periodic sample collection would begin Dec. 16 in California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and Oregon.

Friday’s order requires:

  • the sharing of raw milk samples, upon request, from any entity responsible for a dairy farm, bulk milk transfer station or dairy processing facility that sends or holds milk intended for pasteurization;
  • herd owners with cattle testing positive for H5N1 to provide information to enable contact tracing and/or disease surveillance; and
  • private labs and state veterinarians to report positive results to the USDA as part of a National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) first announced in October.

“This testing strategy is a critical part of our ongoing efforts to protect the health and safety of individuals and communities nationwide,” said Xavier Becerra, secretary of health and human services, in a news release.

U.S. officials classify the H5N1 risk to public health as low, with no reported person-to-person spread. The Food and Drug Administration has been working on plans to update bird flu vaccines in the event of a pandemic. Experts recommend avoiding contact with sick or dead animals, properly cooking poultry, eggs and beef, and not consuming raw or unpasteurized milk products.

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