Avian Influenza Suspected on Three California Dairies

Last Thursday, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced the suspected presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 on three California dairy farms. I communicated directly with our members yesterday, updating them about the situation, and providing best practices and resources for their employees and animals. If you are an MPC member, and did not receive an email from me, please contact me directly.

Information about these suspected cases is still evolving as we wait for USDA confirmation testing. As I emphasized in my communications with members, please know where your cattle are coming from and make sure you only bring cattle to your facility that have the proper testing certification. At this time, the three dairies in question are under quarantine.

It is important to note that pasteurized milk and dairy products remain safe for consumption. This fact is backed by exhaustive research, which conclusively demonstrates that pasteurization inactivates potential pathogens, including the HPAI virus. We will continue to provide updates to our members as the situation evolves.