Retail milk emerges as a sentinel for tracking H5N1 in dairy herds
A new report from the CDC details the use of retail milk monitoring as a surveillance tool for influenza A(H5N1) in dairy cattle across the United States during the 2024–2025 period. This approach leverages the existing food supply chain to detect viral RNA, providing a non-invasive, population-level method to track the presence and potential spread of the pathogen. The findings contribute critical data on transmission dynamics and underscore the value of environmental and product sampling in outbreak surveillance for zoonotic infections.
Why it might matter to you:
This study demonstrates a practical, scalable model for passive surveillance of emerging zoonotic threats, directly relevant to pandemic preparedness and One Health strategies. For professionals focused on infectious diseases and outbreak control, it highlights an innovative pathway for early detection that complements traditional animal testing, potentially informing faster public health responses and infection control measures.
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