Bird flu, a highly contagious virus that has been spreading among dairy cattle in the US, has raised concerns about the safety of raw milk. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging states to take action against the sale of raw milk due to potential contamination with the bird flu virus. This comes as several states, including Minnesota, Iowa, and Wyoming, have reported infected herds.
Raw milk can carry high levels of the H5N1 bird flu virus because it infects cows through their udders. While it is not yet clear whether people can get bird flu by drinking contaminated milk, cats and dairy workers have fallen ill or died after being exposed to infected raw milk.
The FDA has recommended that states use their regulatory authorities to stop the sale of raw milk within their borders where dairy herds have tested positive for the virus. The agency also advised states to test herds for signs of illness and implement surveillance testing for H5N1 in dairy herds producing raw milk.
Despite these warnings, some small dairies continue to sell raw milk, citing consumer demand and state laws that limit state oversight of sales. For instance, Simply Living Homestead dairy in Dallas County is dealing with the concern of bird flu transmission in their raw milk sales. The owner Amanda Carlin stated that she gives her herd a warm water and soap bath before milking to ensure their health.
The latest diet trend on social media involves consuming raw, or unpasteurized, milk. However, experts warn against this practice due to the potential risks of foodborne illnesses such as salmonella, E. coli, listeria and campylobacter bacteria that can be present in raw milk.
From 1998 through 2018, there were 202 outbreaks linked to drinking raw milk that caused 2,645 illnesses and 228 hospitalizations. Pasteurization prevents these diseases by killing harmful bacteria in the milk.
The CDC advises against consuming raw milk due to these health risks. Additionally, an outbreak of bird flu affecting cow herds in the US has led to high levels of the virus in raw milk from infected cows, posing a potential risk for those who consume it.
It is important for consumers to be aware of these risks and make informed choices about their food sources. The FDA encourages states to take action against the sale of raw milk and implement surveillance testing to protect public health.
