USDA Mandates Testing for Avian Flu in Dairy Cows Amid Concerns of Potential Outbreak

The Agriculture Department, in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration, is taking decisive action to address the potential outbreak of avian flu among dairy cows in the United States.

USDA‘s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is spearheading efforts to mandate testing for the highly pathogenic avian flu strain H5N1, also known as HPAI H5N1, in milk-producing cows before interstate movements.

Federal authorities have identified concerning signs of the virus in cows across multiple states, with spillover likely from wild birds.

State laboratories detecting any positive cases are obligated to report to the USDA to ensure swift investigations before cattle transportation.

The primary focus of the testing initiative will center on lactating cattle initially, with the possibility of broader testing as warranted.

The FDA has detected viral fragments of H5N1 in pasteurized milk samples, prompting further research to ascertain if the virus remains viable and infectious.

Health experts caution that the presence of viral genetic material post-pasteurization does not necessarily indicate an active pathogen, highlighting the need for additional tests to confirm infectivity.

Concerns have been raised regarding the transmission of the avian flu virus between dairy cows, potentially through the milking process or contaminated surfaces.

Efforts to contain the spread of the H5N1 virus have spotlighted the critical intersection of animal health and human safety, prompting a comprehensive response from federal agencies.