(WHTM) — Pennsylvania is now requiring precautionary testing for milk to prevent avian flu from spreading.
No virus has been detected in Pennsylvania cattle, but cases are rising in other states. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture says this measure is preventative and aims to pinpoint and contain the source of viral infections and prevent the spread of Influenza A, including the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will cover the testing for processing plants at no cost to farmers.
“Taking this proactive step will ensure that we can protect our cattle, poultry, and farmworkers,” Secretary Redding said. “We are taking this step after careful consideration, in consultation with dairy and poultry farmers, and after voluntary testing was not adequate to get samples necessary for detection and prevention. Pennsylvania’s large number of farms with both dairy cattle and poultry present unique risks that demand extra vigilance.”
Milk samples will be collected from bulk tank trucks transporting milk from Pennsylvania farms to processing plants. If the receiving processing plant is in Pennsylvania, the processor will collect the sample at the plant. If the processing plant is outside Pennsylvania, the sample will be collected by an individual farmer or a milk cooperative handling milk on behalf of farmers.
"Increased, proactive testing is the only way to confirm that we don’t have the virus in Pennsylvania dairy cows or catch it early and stamp it out if we do, so farms can quickly get back to normal," said State Veterinarian Dr. Alex Hamberg. “We’ve seen in other states that the virus shows up in milk before cows show clinical signs of illness. The virus has spread in other states by moving dairy cows from one farm to another, then it has spread among cows. It can be carried on contaminated equipment, trucks, and farmworkers’ footwear and clothing moving between farms and buildings. Rigorous biosecurity, including disinfecting boots, equipment, and vehicles, and using footbaths at barn entryways is critical."
As a reminder, pasteurization destroys the virus, so that milk is safe to drink. These testing measures will help ensure we have a substantial milk supply. Procedures are detailed in a quarantine order effective today.