USDA Mandates Nationwide Testing for US Milk Supply to Stop Bird Flu Spread

Raw milk, especially from infected cows, poses risks due to high live virus levels.

By Thea Felicity

Dec 07 2024, 07:55 AM EST

NORWAY-HEALTH-VIRUS-BIRD FLU — Dead birds are collected along the coast in the Vadso municipality of Finnmark in Norway following a major outbreak of bird flu on July 20, 2023. OYVIND ZAHL ARNTZEN/NTB/AFP via Getty Images

In November, nearly 100 cases of bird flu were detected from raw milk. This December, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking a step toward a nationwide check for bird flu in milk.

In particular, the USDA asked all dairy farms and milk processors to test raw and unpasteurized milk from December 16 onward on request to prevent the spread of this virus. This measure has been enforced following the confirmation of the bird flu virus, type A H5N1 in dairy cows for the first time this March.

Since the disease outbreak, AP News reported that more than 700 herds infected were recorded in 15 states. The testing shall commence with the first stage in six states: California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.

The USDA hopes to contain and eliminate the virus while providing a safe environment for farm animals and workers. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized that this would boost the confidence of the farms and help control the virus better. Pasteurization has been proven to kill the virus, hence milk that has been through the process is safe to consume.

Farmers Protest Nationwide Milk Testing

However, many dairy farmers and processors have thus far been resistant to the idea of testing. Industry support for the USDA is now coming into play though. Under the new federal order, per USDA, raw milk samples must be furnished by the dairy farmers and any positives reported. This follows a federal mandate requiring dairy cattle to be tested prior to interstate movement, and this has not eradicated the virus yet.

Raw milk from infected cows is very dangerous because it contains a high level of live virus. While human transmission is rare, at least 58 people, mostly farm workers, have been infected after close contact with sick cows or their milk because of the level it contains. This calls for increased testing and transparency in the dairy industry.

Federal officials continue to warn against drinking raw milk, pointing out that it may harbor harmful germs, including bird flu.