A new federal order will require unpasteurized milk samples nationwide to be collected and shared with USDA for testing to facilitate H5N1 surveillance of the nation’s milk supply and dairy herds.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Mandatory National Milk Testing Implemented: The USDA’s Federal Order mandates the nationwide testing of raw milk for H5N1 avian influenza as part of its National Milk Testing Strategy to monitor dairy herds and the milk supply.
- Surveillance Framework Strengthened: The order includes specific requirements for milk sampling, reporting positive results, and conducting epidemiological tracing to enhance H5N1 surveillance and outbreak management.
- Complementary to Existing Regulations: This new mandate builds on an earlier Federal Order requiring testing of lactating dairy cows before interstate shipment, aiming to further bolster efforts to prevent the spread of H5N1 in dairy operations.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a new Federal Order mandating nationwide raw milk testing for H5N1 avian influenza, following the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in dairy cattle earlier this year.
The Federal Order, announced by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, requires raw milk samples nationwide to be collected and shared with the USDA for testing. This directive aims to facilitate H5N1 surveillance of the nation’s milk supply and dairy herds.
The Federal Order is part of the USDA’s broader National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS), which outlines a, approach to H5N1 surveillance. While the NMTS sets the framework for testing, the Federal Order operationalizes these goals by establishing mandatory requirements for milk sampling, reporting positive results, and tracing infections.
[RELATED: California Recalls Raw Milk and Cream Due to Possible Bird Flu Contamination]
The Federal Order released Friday makes three new requirements. First, it requires the sharing of raw milk samples, upon request, from any entity responsible for a dairy farm, bulk milk transporter, bulk milk transfer station, or dairy processing facility that sends or holds milk intended for pasteurization. Second, the Federal Order requires herd owners with positive cattle to provide epidemiological information that enables activities such as contact tracing and disease surveillance. Finally, it requires that private laboratories and state veterinarians report positive results to USDA that come from tests done on raw milk samples drawn as part of the NMTS.
Federal Order and the NMTS are scheduled to begin the week of Dec 16, although some states are already conducting testing compatible with the NMTS.
[RELATED: 1 in 5 Grocery Store Milk Samples Test Positive for Bird Flu]
This new Federal Order does not override or supersede USDA’s April 24 Federal Order, which still requires the mandatory testing of lactating dairy cows prior to interstate shipment and requires that all privately owned laboratories and state veterinarians report positive test results connected with those tests. The new Federal Order is intended to complement and enhance this existing order, according to a release from the USDA.
As part of the NMTS, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will work with each state in the contiguous United States to execute testing in a way that works for the state and that aligns with the NMTS standards, according to a release.
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