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Nearly a year after a wild bird infected with H5N1 avian influenza likely transmitted the virus to dairy cows in the Texas Panhandle, more than 700 herds nationwide have been infected and at least 32 dairy farmers have been infected. A worker became ill. The ministry announced Friday that it would sample milk supplies across the country to test for the virus.
The federal order requires dairy farmers to collect and share raw milk samples for testing upon request from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It also has a phased testing strategy that will allow federal agencies to track and monitor the disease.
The National Milk Inspection Strategy, called the New Milk Inspection System, “is an important part of our continued efforts to protect the health and safety of individuals and communities across the country,” said a statement prepared by U.S. Secretary of State Xavier Becerra. states. Human and Health Services.
Initially, the order applies only to six states: California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.
Steve Lyle, a spokesman for the California Department of Food and Agriculture, said the order is incidental and “doesn’t bring any changes to California.” We are already doing this. ”
California, Colorado, and Michigan have all reported positive herds, but three other herds have not. Testing plans and investigations are already underway in affected states, including Pennsylvania, which launched its own “Prophylactic Bulk Milk Testing at Processing Plants” program in late November.
There have been no outbreaks of H5N1 in dairy cattle in Oregon, but infections have been reported in commercial poultry, wild birds, and, in the last month, two pigs.
Mississippi has approximately 50 herds throughout the state, with each farm averaging 149 cows.
The new milking program is designed as a phased program with the ultimate goal of eradicating the disease from the nation’s herds, but few epidemiologists and virologists currently believe this goal can be achieved. not present.
The first phase would involve testing all dairy processing facilities in a given state, allowing federal officials to determine if and where the virus is present. The next step will allow federal agencies to dig deeper by moving tests to bulk tanks.
If the virus is detected, a third phase is initiated, initiating a further investigation by identifying the positive farm or herd and implementing a ‘rapid response’, which includes biosecurity programs such as movement management and contact tracing. “measures” will become possible.
However, if the virus is not detected in a state, assuming the state’s test results remain negative, the frequency of bulk tank testing will gradually decrease, decreasing weekly, monthly, and then quarterly. I’m going.
Finally, there is a fifth step known as “Demonstration of Freedom from H5 in U.S. Dairy Cattle.”
At that point, states can begin more regular sampling and testing “to determine long-term separation from domestic herds,” the statement said.
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