Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Q) Will the person collecting the monthly bulk tank sample be my normal dairy farm inspector?
A) No, the person collecting samples on your dairy farm may not be your routine farm inspector. VAAFM will certify and employ the samplers.
Q) How will I know if a sample has been taken from my bulk tank?
A) VAAFM certified samplers will be leaving information in the milk house to identify who took a sample and the date the sample was collected.
Q) How long will it take to get testing results and how will farms be contacted?
A) Testing results should be known within one to two weeks. Farms that test negative for HPAI will not be contacted. VAAFM will contact any farm that has a positive test result.
Q) Is my testing report and information confidential?
A) VAAFM believes a farm’s identity in connection with HPAI testing is confidential and exempt from public disclosure under the public records act. VAAFM does not intend to publicly disclose any farm’s identity if publicly sharing anonymous test results.
Q) What happens if my farm’s milk tests positive for HPAI?
A) If a farm tests positive for H5N1, the Animal Health section will contact you to discuss how to protect yourself, your employees, and your herd, and how to mitigate the spread of H5N1 to other farms.
Q) Will I still be able to ship milk if my dairy cattle contract HPAI?
A) If a farm tests positive for H5N1, milk that is going to be pasteurized into dairy products will be allowed to ship from any Vermont dairy farm. Ongoing shipments are appropriate because pasteurization has proven effective in inactivating HPAI in dairy products, making them safe for consumption.
Q) Where did HPAI in bovine cattle come from?
A) This nationwide outbreak of HPAI H5N1 began in poultry in 2022 and was first detected in US dairy cattle in March 2024. The crossover from poultry to cattle is considered to be from one single spill over event.
Q) How is HPAI in bovine cattle spread?
A) HPAI in bovine cattle is believed to have spread from the movement of infected animals, and from people, equipment, and vehicles that have come in contact with infected animals.
Biosecurity Resources:
- NMPF Biosecurity Resources: https://www.nmpf.org/resources/biosecurity/
- Secure Milk Supply: https://securemilksupply.org/
- The Center for Food Security & Public Health: https://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/biosecurity-resource/forms/