The DATCP has announced that they will begin monthly sampling of milk.
This is a part of the mandatory National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS), required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
This comprehensive program aims to bolster highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI/H5N1) surveillance of the nation’s dairy cattle herds, ensuring swift action to identify and address H5N1-affected herds.
With help from industry partners, it is expected that one milk sample will be obtained per dairy farm each month and tested at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL).
These samples will primarily be gathered through existing milk quality labs that work with Licensed Bulk Milk Weighers and Samplers, ensuring minimal disruption to dairy operations while obtaining farm-level results.
If H5N1 is detected, DATCP’s Division of Animal Health will be notified by the WVDL and the Division of Animal Health will notify the farm and will work with affected farms regarding quarantine requirements.
For more information, refer to the What To Do if H5N1 is Confirmed on Your Dairy Farm resource document on DATCP’s website.
