USDA begins bulk milk testing in bird flu-affected states

By Andi Anderson

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to begin bulk testing milk supplies in states where dairy cattle have tested positive for H5N1 bird flu. Although the disease has affected dairy cattle in Michigan and 14 other states, Indiana is currently not among them.

Denise Derrer-Spears, communications director for Indiana’s State Board of Animal Health, confirmed that Indiana’s dairy cows remain bird flu-free, due to strict preventive measures.

A recent rule mandates that any cattle transported across state lines undergo bird flu testing, helping to ensure Indiana’s continued clean status. According to Derrer-Spears, more than 2,700 tests have been conducted on Indiana dairy cows since April, all of which returned negative results.

The USDA’s bulk testing plan remains in its draft phase, and Indiana is ranked lower on the priority list due to its current bird flu-free status. Derrer-Spears explained that infections often result from “spillover events,” where the disease is introduced to farms through shared equipment or workers, rather than directly from livestock.

To prevent any chance of contamination, Indiana’s Board of Animal Health advises farmers to thoroughly clean shared equipment between uses. According to Derrer-Spears, 38% of farms affected by the disease had moved cattle using shared, uncleaned equipment like trucks and trailers, which could carry the virus between locations.

Despite these concerns, Derrer-Spears reassured consumers that all dairy products remain safe to consume, as the pasteurization process effectively removes any bird flu pathogens.

In a broader concern, the recent outbreak has brought attention to bird flu’s potential for interspecies transmission. In Oregon, a backyard farm saw the virus jump from birds to pigs, highlighting the importance of rigorous safety measures in preventing the spread of the disease.

As the USDA moves forward with testing, Indiana remains committed to maintaining safe dairy practices to protect both local farms and consumers from bird flu.

Photo Credit: usda