(Reuters) – Bird flu virus particles were found in tissue samples from a cow sent for slaughter at a U.S. meatpacking plant, but not in samples from 95 other cows, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Friday. to avian influenza virus particles.
The USDA says meat from these animals is banned from the nation’s food supply.
Agriculture and health officials have stepped up testing of meat, dairy products and livestock as an outbreak of bird flu spreads among dairy cows.
Two U.S. dairy workers have tested positive for bird flu since the virus was first discovered in cattle in late March.
The USDA said Friday that so far 96 of 109 muscle samples collected as part of a meat safety study have completed testing on beef tissue. It plans to report further updates once testing is complete.
According to the USDA, agency staff discovered signs of illness in the positive animals during necropsies and prevented the meat from entering the food supply.
“These actions are further evidence that our existing food safety system is working,” the agency said in a statement.
The department has confirmed bird flu infection in 58 dairy herds in nine states.
