Since March 2024, a bird flu outbreak among dairy cows has been going on. Milk is safe to consume because the virus is eliminated during the pasteurization process. But avian flu can still be present in raw milk.
The influenza (flu) virus comes in a wide variety of forms, subtypes, and lineages. The flu virus known as “avian influenza,” or “bird flu,” primarily affects birds. Both low pathogenicity (LPAI) and high pathogenicity (HPAI) are possible.
The first time this kind of flu virus was discovered in cows was in March 2024, when HPAI was discovered in dairy cows across multiple states (Trusted Source). Scientists found the virus in raw, unpasteurized milk samples shortly after that.
You might be concerned about the safety of the milk you purchase at the grocery. Yes, is the response.
What is avian influenza that is very pathogenic?
Birds that contract highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, suffer from a serious and frequently lethal infection.
The surface proteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) are what distinguish avian flu from other influenza A viruses. Nine distinct forms of NA and sixteen distinct forms of HA are found in birds.
HPAI viruses, also known as H5 and H7 viruses, have one of two HA types, 5 or 7. H5N1, H5N8, and H7N9 are all HPAI viruses, but many H5 and H7 viruses are low pathogenic (LPAI), which means they cause less severe sickness.
The HPAI virus that was discovered in dairy cows is called H5N1.
How likely is it that consuming tainted milk will get you ill?
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the commercial milk supply is still safe. According to the group, this is because 99 percent of milk that is sold commercially in the US is pasteurized before going on sale.
Consuming raw, unpasteurized milk still carries some risk of illness. For instance, mice in the May 2024 study mentioned above got sick after eating raw milk samples tainted with bird flu.
There isn’t much data on whether raw milk products can spread avian flu to people, according to the FDATrusted Source.
But generally speaking, the CDC advises against drinking raw milk. This is due to the fact that eating raw milk products may expose you to additional dangerous bacteria, including:
Listeria
Salmonella
E. Coli Campylobacter
Brucella
The Cryptosporidium
When to seek medical attention
Overall, there is little risk of avian flu to the general populace. Bird flu is most often caught by persons who have had close contact with sick birds or cows.
If you get symptoms such as these after coming into touch with an animal, dead or alive, that may have had bird flu, call your doctor.Reliable Source:
Fever of at least 100°F (38°C) chills
headache, sore throat, and cough
body aches and pains
stuffy or runny nose
Breathlessness
symptoms of diarrhea in the eyes, such as tears or red, irritated eyes
How is the U.S. government preventing disease in people?
Additional precautions are in place to help avoid human infection, even though pasteurization can eradicate the avian flu virus in milk.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), FDA, and CDC continue to monitor and track the transmission of bird flu in cows.
Milk from cows confirmed to have avian flu is being removed from the commercial milk supply and destroyed, the USDA said.
When to seek medical attention
Overall, there is little risk of avian flu to the general populace. Bird flu is most often caught by persons who have had close contact with sick birds or cows.
If you get symptoms such as these after coming into touch with an animal, dead or alive, that may have had bird flu, call your doctor.Reliable Source:
Fever of at least 100°F (38°C) chills
headache, sore throat, and cough
body aches and pains
stuffy or runny nose
Breathlessness
symptoms of diarrhea in the eyes, such as tears or red, irritated eyes
In particular, food sickness can result from consuming raw milk products. If after consuming raw milk you get symptoms such asVerified Source:
Consuming raw milk products in particular might lead to food poisoning. In the event that you have symptoms like Verified Source: