US Mandates Bird Flu Testing for National Dairy Supply

The United States’ national milk supply is set to undergo testing for bird flu, following a new federal directive issued by the Department of Agriculture on Friday. This order stipulates that organizations and businesses involved in processing raw milk, including dairy processors, are required to gather samples for submission to agricultural authorities. This announcement coincides with efforts by US authorities to curb the swift dissemination of bird flu within American dairy herds. Government data indicates that over 700 dairy herds nationwide have been affected since March, with the majority located in California. Additionally, almost 60 individuals have contracted the virus since April, though presenting with mild symptoms. The virus exhibits limited transmissibility between humans. Public health organizations, including the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), assess the overall public health threat posed by bird flu as low. However, scientists emphasize the necessity of closely monitoring the virus’s propagation. The Department of Agriculture (USDA), in a statement released on Friday, indicated that this initiative seeks to “swiftly and diligently” identify dairy herds that have been impacted. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated, “Among many outcomes, this will give farmers and farmworkers better confidence in the safety of their animals and ability to protect themselves.” He further added, “It will put us on a path to quickly controlling and stopping the virus’ spread nationwide.” The testing strategy will incorporate either monthly or weekly sample gathering and is slated for initial implementation in California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Oregon. Mr. Vilsack informed Reuters news agency that the first phase of testing is scheduled to commence on December 16. A distinct federal directive issued in April by the USDA mandated that dairy cows undergo testing prior to interstate transportation. This latest order neither supersedes nor overrides the April mandate; rather, it is designed to “complement and enhance” it. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 57 human cases of bird flu have been verified across seven US states this year. In September, American authorities confirmed a human infection of the illness where no animal exposure was identified. The individual, located in Missouri, received hospital treatment and has since recovered, according to the CDC. On this past Friday, Arizona reported its initial human cases of bird flu. Both individuals tested positive following their work with poultry, and state authorities affirmed that the public risk remains minimal. Bird flu was initially identified in China during the 1990s and has subsequently disseminated across all continents, including Antarctica. Global health authorities consider the present risk to humans to be low, yet they have continuously monitored the disease for an extended period. The illness has impacted wildlife globally, infecting diverse species such as sea lions, seals, and bears. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.