USDA Mandates Milk Testing for Bird Flu

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will implement nationwide testing of milk for the H5N1 bird flu virus starting December 16, following the detection of the virus in dairy cows since March. Over 700 herds across 15 states have been infected, prompting federal authorities to enhance surveillance through testing raw or unpasteurized milk from farms, particularly in six initial states including California and Colorado. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized that this initiative will build confidence among farmers and aid in controlling the virus's spread. Experts, including veterinarians and scientists, have advocated for this testing to better understand and manage the outbreak, although some dairy farmers fear economic consequences. Health officials maintain that pasteurized milk is safe to consume, while raw milk from infected cows poses a risk. Despite the low risk to the general public, vigilance remains essential as the virus continues to spread among dairy herds.