America’s national milk supply is proven bird flu virus under a new federal order the US Department of Agriculture announced on Friday.
The order comes at a time when the authorities are trying to confront him rapid propagation bird flu, such as H5N1, among dairy herds. The infections have reached more than 500 dairy cows Californiathe sum of the dairy products.
More than 700 dairy herds have been reported infected in the country since March, according to the USDA.
Since April, nearly 60 people have contracted the virus. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most of these cases are workers on infected dairy farms. So far, CDC health officials say the current risk to the public from bird flu is low.
Although the potentially deadly virus is known to spread easily among humans, any infection left untreated gives the virus an opportunity to multiply, researchers warned.
Notably, scientists from the Scientific Research Institute reported that this would be the case just one change produce a version of the current bird flu virus that can stick more easily in human cells.
The USDA’s new strategy for combat involves testing bulk samples of raw milk from dairy processing facilities across the country.
“Among many results, this will give farmers and ranchers better confidence in the health of their animals and the ability to protect themselves, and will put us on the path to quickly control and close the virus’ country-wide exposure,” the secretary of agriculture, Tom. Vilsack said Friday by Aenean sometimes the accumsan mourns.
Farmers, dairy processors and other entities handling raw milk will be required to provide samples of unpasteurized milk when requested by the government. Dairy farm owners with infected herds will also be required to provide details that could help police identify more potential cases and those who came into contact with the man.
The new rules of the test came about after many experts, not none with the world Health The organization criticized the apparent lack of testing in both animals and humans. Previously, the government’s decision on how to deal with the rebellion was voluntary.