Bird Flu Detected in Arizona Dairy's Milk Supply

In a significant development for the dairy industry, state agriculture officials confirmed on Tuesday that a dairy farm located in Maricopa County, Arizona, has tested positive for bird flu. This marks Arizona's first detection of the virus in milk, a situation that has heightened concerns across several sectors.

The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) announced the finding after a routine test revealed the presence of the H5N1 avian influenza strain. Despite the detection, AZDA reassured the public that all pasteurized milk and dairy products remain safe for consumption, emphasizing that the state has conducted tests on all dairy products each month since January with no further cases reported.

Officials have placed the affected facility under quarantine, although it has been reported that the cattle at the farm have not exhibited any signs of illness. The strain identified in Arizona is the D1.1 strain, which differs from the recent genotype found in Nevada. Earlier this week, Nevada confirmed its first human case of bird flu from the D1.1 strain, a strain that claimed a man's life in Louisiana in January.

The outbreak, which has prompted intensive monitoring by AZDA, is part of a larger U.S. narrative. The H5N1 strain has led to the deaths of over 150 million poultry birds nationwide since 2022, with 23 million infections occurring in January 2025 alone. AZDA, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and local health agencies, continues to manage the situation diligently.

AZDA's efforts are critical in maintaining public health and food safety, as the department works closely with other governmental bodies to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations. The news has sparked renewed discussion over state participation in broader U.S. milk testing programs, as some regions remain outside these measures.