The USDA has announced a nationwide testing mandate for milk supplies in response to the growing bird flu outbreak. The virus, which was initially detected in a Texas cow in March, has now spread to over 710 dairy herds in 15 states, with California facing the most significant impact.
Milk samples will be tested at various stages, including on farms and during processing or transport. Private laboratories must report any positive results. The testing program will first be implemented in six states: California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.
Buried deep in the NYT article “U.S. Milk to Be Tested for Bird Flu Virus“ are 2 facts that reveal this is a scamdemic:
“No one has yet been known to become ill from drinking raw milk,”
“The virus has now been detected in 720 herds in 15 states”https://t.co/ZqNL31holL
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 6, 2024
“This initiative is about monitoring the spread of the virus and providing states with the tools to manage affected herds,” said USDA officials. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted the importance of the mandate, saying it will reassure farmers about the safety of their livestock while working to contain the outbreak.
Concerns over human health have intensified as the virus spreads. California health officials detected bird flu in raw milk and cream products from Raw Farm in Fresno, leading to recalls and a quarantine of the farm’s products. The risks of consuming infected milk are uncertain, but scientists have warned of potential dangers.
USDA demands national milk supply get tested for bird flu https://t.co/yazAjwAPcc
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 8, 2024
The move is part of the USDA's "National Milk Testing Strategy," which builds on prior measures taken for a bird flu outbreak in dairy cattle first detected in March.
https://t.co/9dXCIbskbO— CBS News Texas (@CBSNewsTexas) December 8, 2024
Pasteurized milk has been deemed safe by federal health agencies, though isolated reports of bird flu in pasteurized products have emerged. The outbreak has already led to 58 human infections, including a child in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield has warned that gain-of-function research could increase the risk of bird flu spreading to humans. With the first U.S. human case reported in September, the USDA’s testing program is a critical step in controlling the outbreak.
