The USDA announced plans to expand bird-flu testing in beef entering the food supply, following an ongoing outbreak among dairy cattle. USDA officials reassured that U.S. beef and dairy products remain safe for consumption.

During a briefing with reporters, USDA and other U.S. health agencies stated that the expanded testing will commence in mid-September. Livestock workers were urged to maintain heightened vigilance.

Since March, nearly 200 herds in 13 states have been affected by bird flu, which spread from wild birds to cattle. In May, the USDA tested 109 beef samples from slaughtered dairy cows, detecting bird flu virus particles in one tissue sample. Older dairy cattle are often processed into ground beef.

The USDA's under secretary for food safety, Emilio Esteban, confirmed that the expanded testing will focus on beef from dairy cows and continue through the end of the year. Eric Deeble, deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs, expressed confidence in the current bird-flu testing conducted by dairy farmers, stating, "I do feel that the response is adequate."

Additionally, the FDA is discussing the potential for expanded nationwide raw milk testing with state authorities, according to Steve Grube, MD, MPH, chief medical officer of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Colorado, which implemented mandatory weekly milk testing on July 22, has since identified 10 additional positive herds.

Nirav Shah, MD, JD, principal deputy director at the CDC, highlighted the ongoing risk of bird-flu infections among farm workers as the virus continues to circulate among livestock. Since April, 13 poultry and dairy workers have contracted bird flu. The CDC is also expanding its wastewater surveillance testing to include H5 viruses ahead of the fall and winter flu season.