According to a new government order released by the USDA on Friday, raw samples from around the country will now be gathered and shared with the agency in order to test for bird flu.
USDA’s new federal order includes three new requirements. Dairy farms, bulk milk transporters, and dairy processing facilities must now provide raw milk samples upon request.
Herd owners who have cattle that test positive for bird flu must disclose information to health officials so that they can do contact tracing and disease surveillance. The USDA now requires private laboratories and state veterinarians to report positive avian flu test findings.
The move comes after a bird flu virus was discovered in raw milk samples from a California farm, prompting a recall of all raw milk products this week. State health officials also ordered a quarantine for the farm.
The USDA decision launches the agency’s National Milk Testing Strategy, which aims to improve surveillance of the nation’s milk supply and dairy herds while also increasing understanding of how avian flu spreads.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated that the USDA has worked with federal, state, and industry partners to quickly identify and respond to affected herds. “This new milk testing strategy builds on previous steps and provides a roadmap for states to protect the health of their dairy herds…” and it will put us on track to quickly contain and stop the virus’s spread across the country.”
In April, there were reports of avian flu particles identified in pasteurised milk samples.
However, the pieces were inactive viral leftovers that could not induce infection because the commercial milk supply is pasteurised.
The USDA has previously warned about the potential dangers of drinking raw, unpasteurised milk due to increased risk of foodborne illness.
The risks of raw milk in relation to bird flu were highlighted on Tuesday when Raw Farm, LLC voluntarily recalled all raw whole milk and cream products still on store shelves following multiple detections of the bird flu virus in the company’s milk and dairy supply, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Officials have also quarantined the farm and halted all new distribution of raw milk, cream, kefir, butter, and cheese products produced on or after November 27.
As of Friday, no human cases of avian flu were linked to Raw Farm goods.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention classifies raw milk exposure without personal protective equipment as a “high-risk exposure event” for avian flu.
The United States has been dealing with an outbreak of bird flu, or avian influenza, since April, when the first human case was announced.
As of Thursday, 58 human cases had been verified in seven states, according to CDC statistics. California has the highest number of cases, 32.
Almost every confirmed case had direct contact with sick cattle or livestock. So far, all bird flu cases in the United States have been minor, with patients recovering after taking antiviral medicine.
In humans, signs of infection include a sore throat, cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle or body aches, exhaustion, and shortness of breath. Less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and seizures.
According to the CDC, infections can cause no symptoms or moderate sickness, such as flu-like symptoms, or more serious illness, such as pneumonia, which may necessitate hospitalisation.