February 14, 2025

Pennsylvania, US dairy sector now officially free from avian influenza

US state Pennsylvania announced on February 12 that its dairy industry has reached a critical 'stage four' milestone granting avian influenza-free status in the US Department of Agriculture's National Milk Testing Strategy.

Pennsylvania is the first major US dairy-producing state to achieve this status. The designation indicates that Pennsylvania's milk supply has been tested adequately to rule out the presence of the virus in the state's dairy cattle. This achievement is the result of months of collaboration among the Department of Agriculture and federal, industry, and academic partners.

The state will continue testing of bulk milk due to the lingering disease threat in other states.

Since the state required testing of bulk milk samples in late November, Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System labs have tested more than 22,000 samples, representing nearly 100% of the state's 4,784 dairy farms.

Pennsylvania was also one of the first states to implement a voluntary programme for testing lactating dairy cattle.

No infections in dairy cattle or humans have been detected in Pennsylvania to date, although the state has had several poultry farms test positive this year.

- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture