Avian Flu Concerns Prompt USDA Testing of Beef Supply

In response to a recent outbreak of avian flu in dairy cows, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking proactive measures by testing the beef supply. Despite expressing confidence that the meat supply is safe, the agency is sampling ground beef in the states where the H5N1 virus has been detected, including Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, and Texas.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu or avian flu, can spread from wild birds to domestic poultry and other animals. While rare, sporadic infections of bird flu in humans have been reported. The USDA is using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to determine whether the virus is present in ground beef samples and muscles of culled dairy cows at slaughter facilities.

Federal livestock slaughter facilities have Food Safety and Inspection Service veterinarians present to examine animals before and after slaughter to ensure they are safe for human consumption. A study will also be conducted on beef cooking methods to test how different temperatures affect virus reduction.

Consumers are reminded to handle raw meats properly and cook them to a safe internal temperature to eliminate any bacteria or viruses. The USDA will release the results of these studies once they are available. Last week, the FDA confirmed that milk supply was safe despite some commercial milk samples testing positive for bird flu fragments. Both FDA and USDA credit pasteurization and proper protocols for keeping U.S milk supply free from contamination