The avian flu has been detected on 30 dairy farms and infected 2 people in Michigan so far this year.
The USDA is mandating tests of raw milk, as well as requiring farmers and local labs to report infected animals. It's a part of a larger effort to detect animals with H5N1 and slow the spread of the disease.
Phil Durst is a dairy expert with Michigan State University Extension. He says the testing requirements will provide new insight to how many farms are currently infected.
"Not knowing how many herds in the state were infected, was a limiting factor in being able to predict and to be able to prepare and to be able to, to reduce risk."
The state of Michigan ranked sixth in the nation for milk production last year. Federal officials have said that pasteurized milk is still safe to drink.
