(KNSI) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has launched its National Milk Testing Strategy to enhance monitoring and containment of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in dairy cattle. This initiative builds on federal and state efforts since H5N1 was first detected in dairy cattle in March 2024.
Effective immediately, a new Federal Order mandates nationwide collection and testing of raw or unpasteurized milk samples. USDA officials say the order was developed in collaboration with state, veterinary, and public health stakeholders and aims to provide a larger framework for surveillance of the nation’s milk supply and dairy herds.
The order makes three new requirements. First, it requires sharing raw milk samples, upon request, from any entity responsible for a dairy farm, bulk milk transporter, bulk milk transfer station, or dairy processing facility that sends or holds milk intended for pasteurization. Second, herd owners with positive cattle must provide epidemiological information, enabling contact tracing and disease surveillance. Finally, like USDA’s earlier order from April, it requires private labs and state veterinarians to report positive results to USDA that come from tests done on raw milk samples drawn as part of the strategy.
Since the first H5N1 outbreak was detected in Minnesota dairy cattle in March, 8,174 head have been affected.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack feels the new milk testing strategy will build on steps already taken to date and provide a roadmap for states to protect the health of their dairy herds. “Among many outcomes, this will give farmers and farmworkers better confidence in the safety of their animals and ability to protect themselves, and it will put us on a path to quickly controlling and stopping the virus’ spread nationwide. USDA is grateful to our partners who have provided input to make this strategy effective and actionable, and we look forward to continued collaboration in seeing this through.”
The first round of silo testing is scheduled to start the week of December 16th, although some states are already conducting testing.
The USDA’s earlier Federal Order from April requiring the mandatory testing of lactating dairy cows before interstate shipment and requiring that all privately owned laboratories and state veterinarians report positive test results connected with those tests is still in effect. Officials say the new order is intended to complement and enhance this existing order.
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