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  1. Alerts, Advisories & Safety Information

Investigation of Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus in Dairy Cattle

Updates on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with state partners, continue to investigate an outbreak of Avian Influenza A(H5N1) virus impacting poultry, dairy cows, and people in multiple states. 

The responsibility of the FDA is to protect the public health by ensuring the safety of the milk, dairy products, and animal feed supply. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is leading the response from the animal health perspective while coordinating closely with the FDA and with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Status of the Milk Supply  What's New

FDA H5N1 Communications | Research & Studies

Resources for ProducersResources for Consumers 

Additional Information


Status of the Milk Supply

After the first detection of HPAI H5N1 in dairy cattle in March 2024, the FDA has engaged in research and other efforts with industry, federal, and state partners to ensure the continued effectiveness of the federal-state milk safety system. 

Nearly all (99%) of the commercial milk supply that is produced on dairy farms in the US comes from farms that participate in the Grade A Milk Safety Program and follow the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), which includes controls that help ensure the safety of dairy products. Pasteurization and diversion or destruction of abnormal milk are two important measures that are part of the federal-state milk safety system.

The process of pasteurization has helped ensure the health of the American public for more than 100 years. Pasteurization kills harmful bacteria and viruses by heating milk to a specific temperature over time. Even if HPAI virus is detected in raw milk, the current pasteurization process (HTST – High temperature, short time) will inactivate HPAI virus.

CDC Surveillance

What's New

October 3, 2024 

States are invited to participate in a new study that will generate data to aid in the understanding of the prevalence of H5N1 in bulk raw cow’s milk received by dairy processing facilities across the nation. Dubbed “the silo study,” the information garnered from this research can help inform the national strategy to control the spread of the virus to other dairy cattle and avian flocks, and to identify any viral transformations. See Research & Studies for additional information. 

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FDA H5N1 Communications


Research & Studies 

Resources for Producers

Resources for Consumers

Additional Information

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