The H5N1 virus has been identified in dairy cattle in nine states. USDA limited the interstate movement of dairy cattle and implemented mandatory testing. In a meeting with farm broadcasters, USDA Undersecretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jennifer Lester Moffitt was asked if it was safe to assume the virus is also in the beef herd. “The information and data that APHIS has at this point is only positive in dairy cows,” said Lester Moffitt. “As we do more mandatory testing and gather more information, hopefully, we will be able to get a better understanding of what’s happening across the landscape in other states and across livestock.” Moffitt emphasized there is no evidence of a live virus in pasteurized milk. Cooking ground beef to the proper temperature is also recommended.
