The USDA reports that bird flu was detected in beef tissue samples

Bird flu virus particles were detected in tissue samples from one dairy cow sent to slaughter at a U.S. meat processing plant, though none were found in samples from 95 other cattle, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported on Friday.

Federal officials announced that beef tissue from a sick dairy cow tested positive for the bird flu virus.

In response to a bird flu outbreak in dairy cattle, agriculture and health officials have intensified testing of meat, dairy products, and livestock.

The USDA explained that it collected tissue samples from dairy cattle condemned for systemic diseases at slaughter facilities and analyzed them using PCR testing, which cannot distinguish between live virus and fragments.

USDA personnel observed signs of illness in the positive cow during a routine post-mortem inspection, ensuring its meat did not enter the food supply.

"These actions provide further confidence that the food safety system we have in place is working," the agency stated.