Dairy cows entering Canada to be tested for bird flu

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says its American counterpart has agreed to test lactating cows for the bird flu virus before they cross into Canada.

In a brief, emailed statement, the CFIA simply said it had requested testing, and that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had agreed to its request. The testing requirement took effect yesterday.

Dairy cows moving between U.S. states must also test negative for the virus.

Nine states and have reported infections in 34 herds since the middle of March. Colorado is the latest added to the tally. 

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The USDA said it has identified spread between cows, from cows to poultry, and between dairies associated with cattle movements. Cattle without clinical signs have also tested positive for avian influenza.

Milk and beef are also under scrutiny after a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) national survey that found one in five samples of commercial milk in the U.S. tested positive for traces of bird flu.

The FDA said additional testing will be required to determine whether the intact pathogen is still present and if it remains infectious. At the same time, it said there is “no evidence” that the milk poses a danger or that a live virus is present. Earlier, the FDA said that if the milk is pasteurized, it remains safe for human consumption as the process of heating the milk to a specific temperature kills harmful bacteria and viruses.

The USDA is also testing samples of ground beef from retail stores in states with bird flu outbreak in dairy cows.  It will use a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test to see if any viral particles are present. Some dairy cows are processed into ground beef when they grow old.

The virus has not been identified in any Canadian dairy or beef herds to date.