The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has implemented a new measure to address the ongoing avian influenza outbreak by requiring all dairy cows moving between states to undergo testing for the presence of the H5N1 virus. This order, issued on Tuesday, mandates a negative influenza A virus test result for any lactating cow being transported from one state to another.
The USDA emphasized its capacity to conduct tens of thousands of tests daily, significantly aiding in monitoring the distribution and potential spread of H5N1. This increased testing capacity will provide a clearer picture of the virus’s prevalence.
The new order follows the detection of viral fragments in the U.S. milk supply, although officials reiterate that these fragments pose no threat to human health as active viruses are eliminated during milk pasteurization. The USDA maintains that current evidence indicates no significant changes in the virus that would enhance its transmissibility to or between humans.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assesses the current risk to the public as low, despite the possibility of human infections resulting from direct contact with infected animals. To date, H5N1 has been identified in dairy herds across eight states, impacting poultry flocks, wild birds, and several other mammals. Two dairy workers have contracted the virus since the outbreak’s onset, with 44 additional individuals being monitored due to potential exposure to bird flu infection.
