(Washington, D.C.) Jennifer Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, appeared in front of farm broadcasters this week in Washington, D.C., and said tests show the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza found in several U.S. States is only positive in dairy cows.
Moffitt says that the first test results of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in late March showed up in milk tests in dairy operations in the Texas Panhandle. She says they know a link exists between migrating birds spending their winter in that region. What they are still trying to figure out is how that transfer happened.
Moffitt says last week, the U.S. Secretary issued an executive order containing two primary components. One component is pre-movement testing for lactating dairy cows crossing state lines but not going for slaughter. The other is mandatory reporting of positive cases to the USDA.
According to retail sample tests, Moffitt says no live virus particles are found in any milk sampled before entering the food supply chain, meaning the pasteurization process kills the virus.
Moffitt says one dairy employee tested positive for HPAI and is screening workers. This is similar to the routine screening of employees working in poultry houses conducted by Public Health and the CDC. Meanwhile, the CDC has distributed guidance recommending personal protective gear for people working in dairy operations.