- High concentrations of avian flu found in raw milk
- Pasteurized milk from major retailers remains safe, officials confirm
- CDC advises precautions; risk of human transmission deemed low
Health officials have reported the detection of “extremely high concentrations” of avian influenza in milk.
Friday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported the discovery of avian influenza, also referred to as H5N1, in raw milk, defined as milk that has not undergone conventional pasteurization procedures to eliminate pathogens.
Officials stated that major retailers’ standard product, pasteurized milk, remains safe.
Bird flu has become more prevalent in chickens and cows across the United States, affecting animals on 29 ranches in eight states, as reported by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Former FDA and USDA food safety advisor Dr. Darin Detwiler advised that Americans should avoid rare meat and runny eggs during the outbreak in cattle, as animal products that have been improperly prepared are more likely to contain viruses and bacteria.
The initial emergence of avian influenza A (H5N1) occurred in 1996; however, since 2020, there has been a significant surge in both the incidence of epidemics in birds and the number of infected mammals.
Tens of millions of poultry have perished as a result of the strain, which has also infected land and marine mammals and wild animals.
Last month, goats and cows were added to the list, which came as a surprise to specialists as they were not previously believed to be vulnerable to this strain of influenza.
A dairy farm laborer in Texas became the second-ever American to contract bird flu earlier this month. The patient, who had only one symptom of inflammation of the eye, was diagnosed with a “mild” infection, according to the CDC. The individual is currently isolated and “recovering well.”
They are additionally undergoing treatment with oseltamivir, also known as Tamiflu, and there is no evidence that they have transmitted the virus to others.
The chief of the WHO’s global influenza program, Dr. Wenqing Zhang, stated, “This is the first case of avian influenza transmitted by a cow to a human.” The incident occurred in Texas.
During the ongoing epidemics, transmission from cows to birds, birds to cows, and cows to cows has also been documented. These findings indicate that the virus might have discovered alternative pathways of transmission beyond what was previously comprehended.
Multiple populations of cows are now infected in an expanding number of U.S. states, indicating that the virus has spread to mammals.
Dr. Zhang stated that unprocessed milk from infected cows contained a “very high virus concentration,” but experts were still determining the exact duration of the virus’s survival in milk.
The Texas Department of Health has stated that cattle infections do not pose a threat to the commercial milk supply due to the mandatory destruction of milk from ill cows by dairies. Pasteurization eliminates the pathogen as well.
Dr. Zhang stated, “It is crucial that individuals observe safe food practices, such as consuming only pasteurised milk and milk products.”
The World Health Organisation reported 463 fatalities from 889 human cases in 23 countries between 2003 and April 1 of this year, for a case fatality rate of 52%.
Dr. Zhang noted that the human cases documented in Europe and the United States since the virus’s outbreak escalated several years ago have been mild.
The CDC reports that some humans who are infected with avian flu may not exhibit any symptoms.
Individuals who have reported experiencing symptoms similar to the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body pains, headaches, and fatigue.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) instructed state health officials earlier this month to “establish current operational plans” if additional farm laborers test positive for bird flu and human infection. Nonetheless, the agency emphasized that the public faces a minimal risk.
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This followed CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen’s statement that the organization is “very seriously” addressing avian flu.
There are currently no indications that H5N1 is being transmitted between humans.
Dr. Zhang emphasized that the H5N1 viruses detected in both the human case and calves in Texas did not exhibit any heightened adaptation to mammalian hosts.
Regarding potential vaccines, she stated that some were in the works, should they become necessary.
She stated, “Having candidate vaccine viruses on hand enables us to produce vaccines for humans in a timely manner, should the need arise.
Regarding the specific H5N1 virus identified in dairy cows, several candidate vaccine viruses are at one’s disposal.
She stated that close to twenty influenza vaccines are licensed for use during pandemics and could be customized to the specific virus strain in circulation.
