PHOENIX — A dairy facility in Maricopa County has been placed under quarantine after avian influenza was detected in milk produced by its cattle, the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) confirmed Thursday.
The detection, made on June 24 as part of the National Milk Testing Strategy, marks the second instance of avian flu found in milk from an Arizona dairy. Despite the presence of the virus, the cattle involved have not shown signs of illness. If symptoms develop, the infected animals will be isolated from the rest of the herd.
AZDA did not identify the name or location of the affected facility.
Officials emphasized that the D1.1 genotype detected in the milk does not carry any traits that would increase the risk of transmission to humans. They also reiterated that pasteurized milk and dairy products remain safe to consume, as these products undergo multiple rounds of testing.
The state is working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Arizona Department of Health Services, and Maricopa County health officials to monitor personnel at the dairy and prevent spread among livestock.
This latest detection follows previous outbreaks at poultry farms across Arizona. In those cases, products from infected birds were kept out of the food supply, and there were no reports of illness in humans.
Officials say the public health risk remains low.
