WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to the ongoing H5N1 avian influenza outbreak, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced plans to enhance its testing and monitoring efforts in collaboration with state veterinarians. This initiative aims to strengthen biosecurity and containment measures through a tiered strategy for milk sample collection, targeting better assessment and management of H5N1 presence in dairy herds.
Since the detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle in March 2024, the USDA, alongside state and federal partners, has implemented strategic measures to understand and eliminate the virus from dairy operations. A pivotal step was the May 2024 Federal Order mandating cattle testing before interstate movement. This measure has been instrumental in limiting the virus’s spread, reducing affected states from 14 to two within the past month.
Building on the success of bulk milk testing approaches, such as those used to eradicate brucellosis, the USDA plans to expand these methods to assess H5N1 presence. In Colorado, statewide bulk milk testing, initiated after the virus was detected in two counties, revealed no further cases, highlighting the efficacy of such strategies. USDA is poised to partner with states ready to implement similar testing protocols.
The enhanced strategy will involve initial bulk sampling at the regional level, with farm-level testing as required, until herds are declared virus-free. USDA will collaborate with state and private veterinary groups to finalize implementation details and disseminate guidance to ensure comprehensive coverage and efficacy.
Despite progress, USDA continues to stress the importance of robust biosecurity practices as the primary defense against H5N1 spread. Data indicates that the virus can be transmitted through equipment, personnel, and other farm-to-farm movements, underscoring the need for vigilance across all agricultural operations. The Federal Order has successfully limited H5N1’s spread to 14 states, but USDA advises ongoing local biosecurity enhancements.
Furthermore, USDA supports the accelerated development of H5N1 vaccines for dairy cows and other species, with two candidates currently undergoing field trials. This effort underscores the USDA’s commitment to a science-based response, continually informed by research and monitoring insights.
In a related development, USDA, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, announced the detection of H5N1 in swine within a non-commercial farm in Oregon, marking the first U.S. case in swine. Despite this detection, USDA scientists, along with CDC counterparts, report no recent changes in the virus that elevate the risk of animal-to-human or human-to-human transmission. The CDC maintains that the current threat to public health remains low, although isolated cases in individuals with direct animal contact continue to surface.
These comprehensive measures reflect USDA’s proactive stance in safeguarding both animal and public health, as it navigates the complexities of managing H5N1 amidst shifting epidemiological landscapes.
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