The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is taking this preventative measure, at no cost to farmers, to pinpoint and contain the source of viral infections and prevent the spread of Influenza A, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Procedures are detailed in a quarantine order effective today, November 20. Click here to read the quarantine order.
Why is the PA Dept. of Agriculture implementing mandatory milk testing?
Pennsylvania continues to monitor the rapid acceleration of cases of HPAI in dairy cattle across the United States. The PA Department of Agriculture (PDA) is implementing mandatory milk testing at no cost, beginning at the processor level, to determine if Influenza A/HPAI is circulating in lactating dairy cattle throughout PA. Given the virus’ ability to be transmitted between dairy cattle and poultry, PDA is being proactive to safeguard both industries from potentially devastating losses by providing no-cost testing. PDA and industry have seen the impact of HPAI in other states that had not established proactive testing protocols, where economic losses, rapid spread, and mortality of animals later triggered testing protocols but could not undo the significant damage already caused by the virus left undetected.
Click here to view their FAQ document with more information, including the requirements for the no-cost mandatory testing. Along with this mandatory testing, the PA Dept. of Agriculture still strongly encourages dairy farms to sign up for the voluntary bulk tank surveillance program to detect HPAI on the farm at a faster rate. Learn more.
Read the Quarantine Order
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