As dairy cows enter the U.S. food chain, many will be tested for the bird flu virus, aka, H5N1

Dairy cows will be the focus of new slaughterhouse
testing for bird flu by the USDA. (Adobe Stock photo)

The Department of Agriculture will boost its bird flu or H5N1 response to U.S. dairy and beef livestock infections by "expanding bird-flu testing of beef entering the food supply," reports Leah Douglas of Reuters. In May, the agency tested 109 beef samples from "dairy cows sent to slaughter and found bird flu virus particles in one cow's tissue sample. Older dairy cattle are often slaughtered for ground beef."

Dairy cows will be the focus of most slaughterhouse testing. "Nearly 200 herds in 13 U.S. states have contracted bird flu since March after the virus jumped from wild birds to cows, according to USDA data," Douglas explains. "Eric Deeble, deputy undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs, said the USDA is confident with the current level of bird-flu testing conducted by the nation's dairy farmers."

Meanwhile, dairy operators and workers are at increased risk of contracting H5N1. To date, 13 poultry and dairy workers have contracted bird flu since April, and workers who might be exposed to infected animals need to wear personal protective equipment.

To further address the virus' presence across the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration is "talking with states about the plausibility of additional nationwide raw milk testing," Douglas reports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is "working on expanding its surveillance wastewater testing to H5 viruses in advance of the fall and winter flu season."

According to the USDA, U.S. beef and dairy products are safe to consume.