Before March 2024, H5N1 had not been detected in 1,337 wastewater samples analyzed by the team.
The contract option will cover steps such as scale-up process validation and commercial readiness.
While sequencing shows similarity to the virus in cattle, the epi investigation might not be able to pinpoint a source.
The three farms were targeted for testing due to their connections with the first avian flu outbreak locations.
CDC lab experts are working on sequencing to identify the neuraminidase and detail the genome, which could yield clues about the source.
In confirming the state's findings, the USDA now reports 197 outbreaks in dairy cows from 14 states.
Earlier this year, animal health officials warned that the reassortant is spreading in the Greater Mekong subregion.
Officials await results from testing on samples from 3 farms in California's Central Valley. The state is the nation's largest milk producer.
Multilingual teams were crucial for rapid response and testing, which also found COVID among symptomatic cullers.
The detection brings the number of affected dairy herds in Michigan to 28.
