USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Friday that the H5N1 virus was discovered in meat from a single cull dairy cow as part of testing of 96 dairy cows. APHIS said the meat was not allowed to enter the food supply and beef remains safe to eat.
The Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) had diverted the 96 dairy cows for testing because federal inspectors noticed signs of illness during their inspections.
In a statement, APHIS said viral particles of H5N1 were detected in tissue samples from one cow on May 22, 2024. To date, tissue from the remaining 95 dairy cows have tested negative for viral particles. No meat from these cows entered the food supply.
The samples were analyzed by APHIS using PCR to determine presence of viral particles. PCR testing does not differentiate between live virus or fragments.
FSIS and APHIS are working together to conduct traceback, including notification to the producer to gather further information.
H5N1 has been confirmed in dairy cattle in nine states, has been found in milk and has prompted the slaughter of millions of chickens and turkeys. But finding it in beef is a new development for the outbreak, which began in 2022.
FSIS said in its statement the actions taken provide further confidence that the food safety system in place is working. Further updates will be provided as testing is completed.
