Avian Influenza Outbreak Impact on Dairy Cows and Cheese Safety

Avian Influenza Outbreak Impact on Dairy Cows and Cheese Safety

Overview and Current Implications

While dairy cows are not typically susceptible to avian influenza, detecting the virus in dairy herds can still affect milk production and farm management. Across the country, dairy farms and cheesemakers are taking aggressive action to ensure quality and safety. These include heightened biosecurity measures, monitoring and managing dairy herds, and quarantines. The detection of avian influenza in dairy herds can have significant economic implications for farmers, as they incur losses due to reduced milk production, treatment costs for sick animals, and the need to implement additional biosecurity measures

ACS will update our information as the situation develops.

Avian Influenza Testing

The American Cheese Society Food Safety & Regulatory Committee has reviewed recent information about testing of both raw milk cheese finished products as well as testing of liquid milk samples.

Below are two documents regarding new opportunities for testing for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in both finished product and liquid milk samples prior to the aging process. Not only will ongoing testing allow cheesemakers to save time and money by disposing of contaminated milk and cheese products prior to aging, but it will also help to identify hotspots for current viral issues. Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine and the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory are providing low-cost testing opportunities for Cheese processors. Dairy Farmers can also to sign up for Herd Management Testing. This is a voluntary program that offers dairy producers the option to monitor their herds via monthly sampling of bulk milk tanks at no cost. Many states are already involved in herd testing protocols, but this allows individual farms and cheese producers to sign up for testing directly. We encourage members to take advantage of any or all of these services.

National Association of Dairy Regulatory Officials - Industry Handout

National Association of Dairy Regulatory Officials - Finished Product Testing

For more information about the avian influenza outbreak and its impact on dairy cows and cheese safety, check out the resources below:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for information on human infections and risk assessment

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0522-human-case-h5.html

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for recommendations on milk safety and pasteurization

https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/updates-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Detections in Livestock

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock

This is an opportunity to reinforce good biosecurity practices. The National Dairy FARM Program offers several valuable resources

https://nationaldairyfarm.com/resource-library/farm-program/?_program=biosecurity

USDA to pay farmers for bird flu costs, loss of milk production

https://www.thefencepost.com/news/usda-to-pay-farmers-for-bird-flu-costs-loss-of-milk-production/#:~:text=Agriculture%20Secretary%20Tom%20Vilsack%20announced,avian%20influenza%20or%20bird%20flu.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for information on human infections and risk assessment

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0522-human-case-h5.html

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for recommendations on milk safety and pasteurization

https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/updates-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Detections in Livestock

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock
This is an opportunity to reinforce good biosecurity practices. The National Dairy FARM Program offers several valuable resources

https://nationaldairyfarm.com/resource-library/farm-program/?_program=biosecurity

USDA to pay farmers for bird flu costs, loss of milk production

https://www.thefencepost.com/news/usda-to-pay-farmers-for-bird-flu-costs-loss-of-milk-production/#:~:text=Agriculture%20Secretary%20Tom%20Vilsack%20announced,avian%20influenza%20or%20bird%20flu.

Frequently Asked Questions about Avian Influenza Outbreak Impact on Dairy Cows and Cheese Safety

Click the plus sign to expand each question.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in several states. The outbreak has affected both poultry and dairy herds. To view the states affected, click here

Avian influenza has been detected in 80 dairy herds out of approximately 26,000 herds in the U.S. Dairy farmers are advised to monitor their cattle closely for signs of illness, such as a decline in milk production, and to separate sick animals immediately. Milk from infected cows should be discarded.

While avian influenza primarily affects birds, there have been two confirmed cases of human infection, one in Texas and one in Michigan. They are both conjunctivitis cases, the nasal swab was negative. However, the risk to the public is currently considered low, and there have been no significant changes observed in the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans.

The FDA recommends that milk from exposed, asymptomatic cattle should only be used for pasteurized milk and milk products. Pasteurization effectively inactivates bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza viruses, making pasteurized cheese safe for consumption.

There is limited data on the impact of avian influenza on raw milk cheese. Cheesemakers are advised to monitor their milk supply carefully and to ensure that milk used in cheese production comes from suppliers who have not been affected by avian influenza.

Importantly, routine testing and well-established protocols for U.S. dairy will continue to ensure that only safe milk enters the food supply. Milk from sick cows must be collected separately and is not allowed to enter the food supply chain. This means affected dairy cows are segregated, as is normal practice with any animal health concern, and their milk does not enter the food supply.

The FDA does not currently have concerns about the safety and availability of pasteurized milk products, including pasteurized cheese, sold nationwide. Consumers can continue to purchase and consume pasteurized cheese with confidence, as pasteurization effectively eliminates pathogens such as avian influenza viruses.

The FDA recommends testing for HPAI viruses in pooled milk before resuming commerce in unpasteurized dairy products following apparent resolution of illnesses on the premises. This precaution helps to minimize the risk of contamination and ensures the safety of dairy products for consumers.

Dairy farmers should continue to implement biosecurity measures on their farms to prevent the introduction and spread of avian influenza. Cheesemakers should source milk from reputable suppliers and continue conducting regular testing to ensure the safety of their products.

Yes, researchers are continually studying the impact of avian influenza on dairy cows and dairy products to better understand the disease and develop strategies to mitigate its spread. This research helps to inform recommendations for dairy farmers and cheesemakers to ensure the safety of dairy products for consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Avian Influenza Outbreak Impact on Dairy Cows and Cheese Safety

Click the plus sign to expand each question.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in several states. The outbreak has affected both poultry and dairy herds. To view the states affected, click here

Avian Influenza Outbreak Impact on Dairy Cows and Cheese Safety

Avian Influenza Outbreak Impact on Dairy Cows and Cheese Safety

Overview and Current Implications

Avian Influenza Testing

Frequently Asked Questions about Avian Influenza Outbreak Impact on Dairy Cows and Cheese Safety

Click the plus sign to expand each question.

What is the status of the avian influenza outbreak in the United States?

How has avian influenza impacted dairy cows?

Can avian influenza infect humans?

Is cheese made from milk of infected cows safe to consume?

What about raw milk cheese?

Should consumers be concerned about purchasing cheese at retail stores?

What precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of dairy products?

What can dairy farmers and cheesemakers do to prevent the spread of avian influenza?

Is there ongoing research into the impact of avian influenza on dairy cows and dairy products?

Frequently Asked Questions about Avian Influenza Outbreak Impact on Dairy Cows and Cheese Safety

Click the plus sign to expand each question.

What is the status of the avian influenza outbreak in the United States?

How has avian influenza impacted dairy cows?

Can avian influenza infect humans?

Is cheese made from milk of infected cows safe to consume?

What about raw milk cheese?

Should consumers be concerned about purchasing cheese at retail stores?

What precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of dairy products?

What can dairy farmers and cheesemakers do to prevent the spread of avian influenza?

Is there ongoing research into the impact of avian influenza on dairy cows and dairy products?

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