The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a nationwide milk testing strategy aimed at combating the spread of H5N1 in dairy cattle. The strategy builds on measures taken since March, when the virus was first detected in dairy farms.
Under the new program, raw or unpasteurized milk samples will be collected and shared with USDA for testing to monitor the virus’s spread in the US. This includes milk from dairy farms, bulk transporters, and processing facilities.
The strategy also requires herd owners to provide epidemiological information on positive cattle cases, which will aid in contact tracing and disease surveillance. Private laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive results to USDA.
The first round of testing began December 16 in six states, including California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. Seven more states were added later, covering a diverse range of dairy-producing regions.
The test results will be shared with the public through USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website. The goal is to inform biosecurity measures, contain the virus, and reduce risk to farm workers.
Industry experts emphasize the need for rigorous surveillance and biosecurity due to H5N1’s ability to spread easily among livestock. With an estimated $100,000 to $200,000 in costs per thousand cows over a month, the disease poses significant economic challenges.
Source: https://www.avma.org/news/usda-creates-milk-testing-strategy-combat-h5n1-dairy-cattle