The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new plan to test the milk supply as avian influenza continues to spread among dairy herds. Since the first case in March, 750 herds across 15 states have tested positive, with the latest case confirmed in California.
The strategy requires raw milk samples be provided upon request, herd owners share contact tracing data, and labs report positive results to the USDA. These steps build on April’s federal order mandating testing of lactating cattle before interstate transport.
States will undergo phased testing, starting with milk silos, to detect and control the virus. The USDA aims to safeguard pasteurized milk supplies, protect farmworkers, and prevent future outbreaks through biosecurity measures and ongoing testing.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].