A recent study suggests that global control measures for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 infection in poultry and dairy cattle are insufficient. Gaps in control measures exist, including resistance to modern vaccines and surveillance technologies.

Testing of all licensed dairy farms across the state of Massachusetts has produced 100 percent negative results for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1. Massachusetts is the first U.S. state to test all of its dairy herds for the virus.

At the 2024 Farm Progress Show, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack revealed that the agency is beginning field trials for a vaccine to address the ongoing outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1—also known as “bird flu”—in cattle.

In September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA’s FSIS) will begin testing dairy cows at slaughter for the presence of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), under the existing National Residue Program.

U.S. federal, state, and local public health agencies authorities are currently investigating an ongoing outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or "avian flu," among dairy herds nationwide. This article advocates the need for new technologies to address current and future food safety needs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published an outline of its research priorities regarding the dairy food safety implications of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has provided updates on its sampling and testing activities of retail milk for the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viral fragments. Additionally, Health Canada and CFIA recently completed a study on pasteurization’s efficacy against HPAI in milk. 

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we are joined by influential food safety scientist and Distinguished Service Award recipient, Dr. Kathleen (Kathy) Glass, Ph.D. Topics discussed include Dr. Glass’s academic research and her work on challenge studies for food products; the ongoing HPAI outbreak, considering her expertise in dairy food safety; and her experiences as part of NACMCF.

University of Edinburgh researchers have conducted a study that affirms the efficacy of standard pasteurization practices against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1.

A recent study has shown the ability of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 to infect mice fed contaminated raw milk, while, separately, testing conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) has found HPAI traces in muscle from culled dairy cows.