From staff reports The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announces the launch of its National Milk Testing Strategy to combat the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in dairy cattle.
Announced Dec. 6, this initiative aims to enhance surveillance of the nation’s milk supply and dairy herds since the virus was first detected in March 2024.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack noted the importance of the new strategy, which will give states a framework to protect dairy herds and improve confidence among farmers and farm workers regarding animal
The NMTS requires raw milk samples from across the nation to be tested for H5N1. This measure will help identify affected herds, implement biosecurity measures and protect farm workers.
Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services Xavier The order mandates that dairy farm operators, bulk milk transporters and processors provide raw milk sample upon request. It also requires herd owners with positive cattle to provide epidemiological information that enables activities such as contact tracing and disease surveillance. Finally, like USDA’s April 24 order, it requires that private laboratories and state veterinarians report positive results to the USDA that come from tests done on raw milk samples drawn as part of the NMTS.
Although some states have begun conducting testing compatible with the NMTS, the first round of silo testing is scheduled for the week of Dec. 16.
The NMTS will be rolling out in stages, starting with silo testing at dairy facilities in six states: California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. States will progress through the stages based on the virus's prevalence, with the aim of demonstrating freedom from H5N1 in dairy herds nationwide.
For more details, visit www.aphis. usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/ avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/ livestock.