In response to the spread of bird flu among U.S. dairy cows, the government has mandated nationwide testing of raw or unpasteurized milk starting on December 16. This move comes after more than 700 herds in 15 states were affected by the H5N1 strain of the virus, first detected in cows in March. The government hopes that the testing will help contain the virus and prevent further outbreaks on farms.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack explained that the testing would provide farms with “better confidence” in controlling the virus and stopping its spread across the country. While H5N1 has been detected in birds in the UK as well, the strain in the U.S. primarily affects farm animals, with at least 58 human cases of mild illness reported. Despite this, the risk to human health remains low.
Pasteurization or heat treatment can eliminate the virus in milk, making it safe for consumption. However, officials continue to warn against drinking raw milk. The new testing order applies to raw milk intended for pasteurization, and dairy handlers must provide samples for testing upon request. Herd owners are also required to report positive test results to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and provide relevant information to track the virus.
Dairy farmers and processors had been hesitant to test milk and animals, fearing potential economic consequences. However, there has been growing support from veterinarians, farmers, and scientists for such testing. Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, hailed the move as a step in the right direction, emphasizing the need for better monitoring of the situation.
In the UK, health authorities are preparing for potential human outbreaks of H5N1 by securing over five million doses of a bird flu vaccine. This vaccine would be used only if the virus were to spread among humans, similar to the cases in the U.S.