Ground beef tested negative for the avian flu virus, according to the USDA

The Department of Agriculture announced on Wednesday that PCR testing results, for the H5N1 bird flu virus were negative in all ground beef samples tested at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories.

The USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service collected 30 ground beef samples from stores in states with dairy cattle herds that previously tested positive for H5N1 during sampling.

“NVSL reported that all samples tested negative for H5N1. These results reaffirm that the meat supply is safe,” the USDA added.

Researchers are actively monitoring any changes in the H5N1 virus that could potentially increase its transmissibility among humans. This virus is known to cause infections in individuals who have had contact, with wild birds or poultry.