The mandate targeting bulk milk transporters and dairy processors is meant to help identify herds that have caught the virus, which has spread among livestock.

Summary

The USDA has mandated testing of raw milk for bird flu (H5N1) to identify infected dairy herds and curb its spread among livestock.

Testing will focus on six states—California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania—from Dec. 16, expanding on prior requirements for testing lactating cows crossing state lines.

The virus has impacted 718 herds in 15 states, with concerns it may pose broader risks to human health.

Although pasteurization inactivates the virus, rising raw milk consumption increases exposure risks.

Scientists warn the virus could mutate to enable human-to-human transmission, potentially sparking a pandemic.