News

Wisconsin prepares for milk testing

Wisconsin’s state veterinarian says state officials are getting ready for the federal order requiring raw milk testing for highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Dr. Darlene Konkle says they are taking steps to begin H5N1 testing. “We’re currently evaluating the contents of the order and the supplemental information that we’ve received, and again, our division, the Division of Animal Health and the Division of Food and Recreational Safety are working closely together on planning for any surveilance in Wisconsin, so currently, we’re evaluating the specifics of the order.”

USDA issued the federal order calling for milk silo testing December 6^th to understand the virus’ spread and help swiftly identify which states, and specific herds within them, are affected with H5N1.  Testing will begin in states that already have H5N1 affected herds.  States like Wisconsin that have no H5N1 affected herds will start raw milk testing later.