USDA declares state herds free of avian flu risk
Minnesota’s dairy farms have earned a clean bill of health from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) after four consecutive months of testing showed no signs of the H5N1 avian influenza virus. This designation follows a nationwide testing initiative that began when multiple states detected the virus in dairy cattle. Minnesota previously reported nine cases last year.
Since February, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has collected raw milk samples every month. “Every single time milk is picked up from a dairy farm, there’s a sample collected,” said Nicole Neeser, director of the state’s ag department dairy and meat inspection division. “Every day of every year, all the time.”
Only one case of avian influenza was reported in March, and none have appeared since then. “The virus itself has been fairly quiet in Minnesota in this calendar year, which is really fantastic,” Neeser said. However, she cautioned that the virus often resurfaces in spring and autumn, so continued vigilance is essential.
With the USDA now recognizing Minnesota as “unaffected,” testing frequency can be reduced to every two months instead of monthly. Even so, Neeser emphasized that monitoring will continue until all 50 states are cleared of the virus. “We’re really waiting on some of the other states as well to continue testing and see how things turn out this fall,” said Neeser.
This recognition underscores the state’s strong biosecurity measures and its commitment to protecting both animal and public health, ensuring confidence in Minnesota’s dairy products.