Mass. dairy cows ‘100% negative’ for bird flu, officials say

Health

Officials tested dairy herds in August to “protect public health”.

All Massachusetts dairy farms are 100 percent free of bird flu, state officials announced Monday.

At least 14 states across the country since March have herds that have tested positive for avian flu, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources said.

Massachusetts is the first state to test dairy herds and has 100 percent negative results, the department said in a statement. Officials said they decided to test the crews to “protect public health” and demonstrate the safety of food from Massachusetts farms. In August, inspectors went to all 95 licensed dairy farms in Massachusetts to collect and test milk samples, the statement said.

“Massachusetts dairy farmers follow strict safety protocols and take great pride in producing the highest quality products,” said Ashley Randle, Commissioner of Agricultural Resources for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. “The hard work keeps us all safe, and these test results show how supporting local agriculture and purchasing food from Massachusetts farms can keep our food supply strong and resilient.”

When avian influenza, or bird flu, affects a lactating cow, it can result in a “abnormal appearance of milk,” according to the American Veterinary Medicine Association. In some cases it affects the cow’s appetite and reduces milk production. Some dairy farmers have contracted bird flu by coming into contact with unpasteurized milk from infected cows, state officials said. No human cases have been reported in Massachusetts.

“Pasteurization kills the virus and makes it safe for human consumption,” the state Department of Agricultural Resources said.

David Shepard, president of the Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers, said in the statement that he was “grateful” that the government ensured the safety and security of Massachusetts dairy operations.