USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service expanded the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) to include six additional states, bringing the total to 36 since its December launch.
This program now covers bulk milk tank samples from two-thirds of the nation’s dairy herds, representing nearly 75% of U.S. milk production. The NMTS enhances H5N1 monitoring through a five-stage framework. Currently, 17 states are in Stage 2 with active bulk tank sampling, while California, Michigan and Nevada (Stage 3) have rapid response measures. Mississippi reached Stage 4, signifying no virus presence and continues sampling to confirm this status.
