Bird flu, a highly contagious virus that primarily affects birds, has been detected for the first time in beef tissue from a sickened dairy cow. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on May 24, 2024, that the H5N1 virus was found during routine inspections at meat processing plants. However, officials assured the public that no contaminated beef had entered the food supply and beef remains safe to eat.
The detection of bird flu in beef is a new development for the ongoing outbreak, which began in 2022 and has already affected dairy cattle herds in nine states. The virus has been found in milk, leading to the slaughter of millions of chickens and turkeys. Bird flu was also detected in one human case, a prisoner who recovered after being exposed to infected birds.
The USDA stated that the sickened dairy cow's meat was not allowed to enter the food supply and emphasized that cooking beef to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.9 Celsius) will kill the virus, just like it kills E. coli and other viruses.
Two farmworkers at dairies in Michigan and Texas were sickened by bird flu this spring, but the danger to the public remains low for those not directly exposed to infected animals.
The USDA has been conducting ongoing studies on beef safety, including testing ground beef for bird flu at retail stores. So far, no sign of the virus has been found in consumer beef.
Brian Ronholm, the director of food policy at Consumer Reports, emphasized that constant vigilance is required to ensure the risk to consumers remains low. He advised cooking meat to proper temperatures for additional assurance.
