In recent news, there have been outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu in dairy cattle across multiple states in the US. The virus has been found to survive for over an hour in raw milk left on surfaces used for milking dairy cattle. This raises concerns about the potential spread of the virus through contaminated milk and its impact on human health.
According to a study published by Business Insider, researchers at the University of Oxford found that H5N1 bird flu can survive in raw milk for over an hour. The virus was able to replicate in cells taken from cow udders, suggesting that it could infect cattle through their milk. This discovery has led scientists to believe that contaminated milk may be contributing to the spread of the virus between dairy cattle herds.
However, a study conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that pasteurization effectively kills H5N1 bird flu in milk. The FDA tested raw milk samples from farms where herds had tested positive for H5N1 and found that half of the samples contained traces of the virus. However, when these raw milk samples were subjected to flash pasteurization, which heats milk to 161 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds, all infectious virus was neutralized.
Despite this finding, it is important to note that none of the confirmed infected herds have been supplying raw milk. However, hundreds of pasteurized milk and dairy product samples tested by the FDA from grocery stores have turned up fragments of dead virus, suggesting missed infections.
The USDA has warned that virus is likely being spread from infected cows to other animals and humans through droplets of raw milk teeming with the virus. None of the confirmed infected herds have been supplying raw milk. However, it is important for consumers to be aware that unpasteurized dairy products carry a risk of infection.
The CDC advises against consuming unpasteurized dairy products due to the potential risk of foodborne illnesses. The agency also recommends that farmers take steps to prevent the spread of bird flu on their farms, such as cleaning and disinfecting equipment between cows and outfitting workers with protective gear.
In conclusion, H5N1 bird flu has been found to survive in raw milk for over an hour, raising concerns about its potential spread through contaminated milk. However, pasteurization effectively kills the virus in milk. It is important for consumers to be aware of the risks associated with unpasteurized dairy products and for farmers to take steps to prevent the spread of bird flu on their farms.
