As confirmed by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently updated its interim recommendations that workers exposed to livestock or raw milk (for processing) that could potentially be infected with H5N1 should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face shields and disposable coveralls. These recommendations apply at both the farm and processing plant. The dairy industries' experience with food safety, sanitation, biosecurity, and preventing other forms of biohazards (not to mention the COVID-19 experience) makes it well equipped to follow these recommendations and protect the workforce. These measures, coupled with the recently imposed mandatory testing and reporting requirements for interstate movement of dairy cattle and USDA's commitment of nearly $100 million in short-term funding to assist the industry response, reflect joint industry-wide efforts to slow the outbreak in the dairy industry.
"USDA is announcing assistance for producers with H5N1 affected premises to improve on-site biosecurity in order to reduce the spread. In addition, USDA is taking steps to make available financial tools for lost milk production in herds affected by H5N1."
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