The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on December 6 in a communiqué the launch of a detection strategy of H5N1 virus flu avian in the unpasteurized milk, after collection. Of the samples will be collected nationally and tested by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. This “test system structured, uniform and obligatory » will “rapidly identify which States, and which specific herds within these states, are affected by H5N1.” And to quickly put in place “ reinforced biosecurity measures » to reduce the risk of transmission on farms and protect agricultural workers you virus H5N1.
Read also: Avian flu is progressing in American cattle farms
Why does the United States want to test milk?
This announcement follows actions taken by the USDA related tobird flu epidemic in the American cattle farms. More than 700 cas have been declared there, since the first infection in mars 2024according to our colleagues at Agra Fil. This ” additional step » Support for already existing measures is essential, argues the USDA, “so that states and farmers can contain and eliminate H5N1 infections from their livestock “. With the ultimate objective of “ eradicate highly pathogenic avian influenza in the U.S. dairy cattle population.”
Read also: Avian flu: WHO calls for strengthening surveillance of the virus in poultry, pigs and dairy cows
In the United States, beef already tested since September 2024
Testing is scheduled to begin on December 16, in six priority states (California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania). As for the consumption of raw milkthe USDA reiterated the importance of pasteurization as recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agency considers raw milk to be a “high risk” food because it is likely to be contaminated by pathogens, even if the limited research does not allow this to be confirmed for the H5N1 virus. Since September 16, the H5N1 avian flu virus has also been sought by the USDA in the cull cow meat.
Read also: Avian flu: the United States will look for the H5N1 virus in beef
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