Wisconsin has contained a recent detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a Dodge County dairy herd. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says this showcases the effectiveness of the state’s rigorous farm-level testing protocols.
The system, built for rapid response, proved its worth by quickly isolating the affected farm before any contaminated milk could enter the food supply chain. Adam Brock, administrator for DATCP’s Food Safety and Recreation Inspection, emphasizes the collaborative effort in an interview with Mid-West Farm Report.
“We’re well-connected and we have a solid network of individuals partnering, from farmer to processor and out to the consumer,” he explains.
The state adopted a farm-level approach for their testing system, which Brock explains was key to the rapid containment. This strategy allows officials to swiftly pinpoint the exact farm, implement biosecurity measures, and work directly with the producer and their field representatives. This avoids the longer traceback process that would be required if the contaminated milk had mixed with others in a large “silo.” He says the positive case was found after nearly 25,000 tests conducted since May had shown no detectable HPAI.
For consumers, Brock reiterates that the milk in question was intercepted and never made it to the processing side. Even so, he emphasizes pasteurization keeps the milk supply safe.
The focus now shifts to determining the source of the infection. Brock confirms the farm had done “nothing wrong” and was adhering to high standards of biosecurity and animal care. Sequencing of the virus by the USDA later this week is expected to provide critical information, with current speculation leaning toward a wild bird infection as the most likely cause, rather than animal movement.
Learn more: https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/2025/12/14/hpai-confirmed-in-wisconsin-milk-testing-for-first-time/
