In a proactive move to monitor and prevent the spread of H5N1 avian influenza, Oregon joins the list of six states to implement routine milk testing. The initiative is a response to a larger federal strategy aimed at safeguarding the American food supply. The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has partnered with local dairy industry players to kickstart the testing this week, focusing on raw milk, with plans to expand in the coming weeks. Ultimately, over three-quarters of Oregon's milk will be subjected to scrutiny by January 2025.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) which mandates periodic testing of unpasteurized milk for the states involved. ODA State Veterinarian Ryan Scholz mentioned, "We have been working very closely with Oregon’s dairy industry and processors since the first cow tested positive for H5N1 in Texas back in March 2024." The sentiment is that this level of cooperation and resource allocation, particularly Oregon State University's Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (OVDL), will bolster confidence in the safety measures in place for those working with and consuming dairy products.
Despite there being no reported cases of H5N1 in Oregon's dairy cattle or milk, the state is not taking any chances. The testing is one tier of a multi-faceted approach to ensure that dairy, a staple in many American households, remains untainted and safe from this bird flu. The OVDL will be a linchpin in this process, as highlighted by Dawn Dirks, OVDL's Supervisor of Molecular Diagnostics, Virology, and Serology, who said, "The Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (OVDL) is an integral partner in Oregon's response to the current Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak."
The FDA has consistently tested and confirmed the safety of pasteurized milk products like cheese and ice cream. Nonetheless, the institution continues to recommend against the consumption of unpasteurized milk, which does not, undergo the pathogen-killing process of pasteurization. Alongside monitoring dairy products, the USDA is urging farmers across the country to reinforce their biosecurity measures. These include guidelines on managing new animals, visitor protocols, and preventing disease transmission between species—regardless of whether H5N1 has been detected in their vicinity or not. The Oregon initiative is part of a larger tapestry of precautions designed to keep farms and communities secure from the threat of influenza.
The vigilance regarding H5N1 comes as part of a broader nationwide effort to preemptively address agricultural pathogens and affirm food safety. Oregon's milk testing and surveillance will continue to evolve in harmony with guidance from the USDA in an ongoing commitment to protect its farms, farmworkers, and residents. More information about these safety efforts and the current state of H5N1 can be found on the ODA's website.
