State orders dairy cow tests for bird flu

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Intensive state inspections began of dairy farms statewide to detect H5N1 flu virus in raw milk. This come amid growing concern that the H5N1, commonly called “bird flu,” may be on the brink of crossing species and triggering a human pandemic. The immediate goal is to contain the pathogen by catching it in dairy herds and poultry flocks, said Nicole Neeser, the chief state dairy and meat inspector. There is no concern for now about the safety of pasteurized milk, Neeser said. Samples from every Minnesota dairy — 1,600 in all — will be tested at the state Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. Milk from infected dairies will be embargoed until three follow-up tests confirm the virus has cleared. Neeser the quarantined farms will be allowed sell milk but only if pasteurized.