In a recent update on its website, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the initial findings of a study conducted on nationally representative retail samples of milk. The agency reported that one out of five milk samples tested positive for remnants of the H5N1 bird flu virus. The positive test results came primarily from milk samples collected in areas with infected dairy herds.
The FDA emphasized that the presence of virus remnants does not indicate an immediate risk to consumers. Additionally, the agency cited research funded by the National Institutes of Health, which suggests that there is an absence of infectious virus in the milk supply. The agency maintains that the commercial milk supply remains safe for consumption.
As of Thursday night, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had detected 33 dairy cow herds with bird flu infections across eight states: Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Michigan, Idaho, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Ohio. However, the FDA’s latest findings indicate that the extent of the infections could be significantly higher, a concern that has been raised by scientists and health experts.
In response to the growing concern, the USDA issued an order on Wednesday requiring bird flu tests for dairy cattle before they are transported between two states. The agency will also reimburse dairy farmers for conducting tests on their livestock, including asymptomatic animals.
These measures are aimed at preventing the further spread of the bird flu virus and ensuring the safety of the milk supply. The FDA and USDA continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as new information becomes available.
