United States: Bird flu virus, the strain that can infect people has been found in raw milk meant for human consumption stored in California stores’ refrigerators, according to state regulators on Sunday.
Though no one has become sick in this most recent case, it occurred only several days after, a child caught bird flu which has never happened in the United States before.
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California Department of Public Health said Bird flu was detected in whole raw milk from Raw Farm that has a “best by” date of November 27, 2024.
Raw Farm has identified the problem and issued a voluntary recall, while retailers have been informed to remove the product from their refrigerator racks, said the department. Consumers who might have it in their homes are told not to take it.
The fears of the H5N1 avian virus are on the rise this year following early indications that it was infecting mammals including dairy cows, indoor and outdoor cats, mice, and a backyard pig.
The H5 virus, known to spread only through birds, now affects at least 55 people in the United States this year alone.
Heat treatment is important
Contrary to pasteurized milk that is heated to avoid bacterial and viral presence including H5N1 raw milk poses the following risks; salmonella, E.coli, brucella, campylobacter, and listeria.
According to the CDPH, “Public health experts have long warned consumers against consuming raw milk or raw milk products due to elevated risks of foodborne illness,” the Washington Post reported.
“Drinking or accidentally inhaling raw milk containing bird flu virus may lead to illness. In addition, touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands after touching raw milk with bird flu virus may also lead to infection,” it noted.
Heat treatment, a procedure called pasteurization after French chemist Louis Pasteur, has been applied regularly in milk production in the United States starting from 1920.
No matter, the practice is alleged to eliminate the H5N1 virus in milk. But according to the dairymen, an increasing number of consumers are demanding raw milk – social media influencers and raw dairy supporters post raw milk to audiences of millions, with promises of health benefits that have not been scientifically proven or that have been largely discredited.