USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus

[ad_1]

The US authorities on Friday ordered testing of the nation’s milk provide for hen flu to raised monitor the unfold of the virus in dairy cows.

Uncooked or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide should be examined on request beginning Dec. 16, the Agriculture Division stated.

Testing will start in six states — California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

Officers stated the transfer is aimed toward “containing and finally eliminating the virus,” referred to as Kind A H5N1, which was detected for the primary time in March in US dairy cows.

A USDA researcher performs a speedy antigen check on milk from a dairy cow inoculated towards hen flu in containment constructing in Ames, Iowa on July 29, 2024. AP

Since then, greater than 700 herds have been confirmed to be contaminated in 15 states.

“It will give farms and farmworkers higher confidence within the security of their animals and talent to guard themselves, and it'll put us on a path to shortly controlling and stopping the virus’ unfold nationwide,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated in a press release.

The chance to individuals from hen flu stays low, well being officers stated. Pasteurization, or warmth therapy, kills the virus in milk, leaving it secure to drink.

Veterinarians, farmers, scientists and teachers have been calling for nationwide milk testing for months, stated Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, who led the efforts.

“It’s one other step in the fitting path,” Poulsen stated. “They’re coming round that we want a greater deal with on it.”

Dairy farmers and processors throughout the US have been reluctant to check animals or milk for the virus, fearing financial or different repercussions.

Jamie Jonker, chief science officer of the Nationwide Milk Producers Federation, stated the trade helps USDA efforts to get rid of the virus.

Cows stand within the milking parlor of a dairy farm in New Vienna, Iowa. AP

Underneath the federal order, dairy farmers and people who deal with uncooked milk meant for pasteurization should present samples of the milk on request for testing for hen flu.

It requires reporting of constructive exams to the USDA and it requires herd homeowners to supply primary data to permit tracing of the illness in cattle.

The transfer follows an April 24 federal order that mandated testing of sure dairy cattle earlier than they might transfer between states and required reporting of any constructive exams.

Regardless of that order, the virus has continued to unfold, Poulsen famous.

Uncooked milk from contaminated cows comprises excessive a great deal of reside virus, testing has proven.

At the very least 58 individuals within the US have been contaminated with hen flu, principally farm staff who grew to become mildly in poor health after shut contact with contaminated cows, together with their milk, or contaminated poultry.