U.S. Issues Federal Order to Test National Milk Supply for Bird Flu
The U.S. has issued a federal order mandating that the national milk supply be tested for bird flu, according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. This move comes as authorities seek to grapple with the rapid spread of the virus among dairy herds.
Bird Flu Outbreak
Bird flu has infected more than 500 dairy herds in top milk-producing state California, and more than 700 nationwide since March, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This has raised concerns about the impact on farmers and the milk supply, as well as the risk to human health from ongoing spread.
Symptoms and Risk
Nearly 60 people have contracted the virus since April, most of them workers on infected poultry and dairy farms, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The symptoms have been mild, and CDC officials have said the risk to the general public from bird flu is low.
Testing Plan
The USDA has announced a testing plan that will involve monthly or weekly sample collection from bulk milk tanks and dairy processors. The plan will be rolled out first in California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Oregon. The latter three states have not reported bird flu infections in dairy cattle.
Implementation
The agency will begin testing on December 16, with the pace of testing depending on whether virus is detected in initial sampling, according to Rosemary Sifford, USDA’s chief veterinarian. The order requires farms and processors to make raw milk available for sampling, and farm owners whose animals test positive for the virus to report animal movements and other information.
Recall and Safety
California has issued a recall of milk and cream products made by raw milk company Raw Farm after bird flu was detected in its retail products and bulk milk. The Food and Drug Administration advises against consuming raw milk because it can contain pathogens, including bird flu, but says pasteurized dairy products are safe because the pasteurization process kills those pathogens.
Conclusion
The bird flu outbreak in the U.S. dairy industry is a serious concern, and the federal order to test the national milk supply is a necessary step to ensure the safety of the public and the industry. The USDA’s testing plan is aimed at identifying infected herds and preventing the spread of the virus, and it is important that farmers and processors comply with the regulations to ensure the safety of the milk supply.
FAQs
- What is the purpose of the federal order to test the national milk supply for bird flu?
The purpose of the order is to identify infected herds and prevent the spread of the virus, ensuring the safety of the public and the industry. - How many dairy herds have been infected with bird flu?
More than 500 dairy herds in top milk-producing state California, and more than 700 nationwide since March. - What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?
The symptoms have been mild, and CDC officials have said the risk to the general public from bird flu is low. - How will the testing plan be implemented?
The agency will begin testing on December 16, with the pace of testing depending on whether virus is detected in initial sampling.
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