The H5 bird flu continues to spread across the US, with confirmed cases in humans, wild birds, poultry, and now dairy cows. While the public health risk remains low, the CDC is closely monitoring the situation and urging vigilance, particularly among workers in close contact with animals.
Avian influenza A(H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, is infecting cows across the U.S. Recent research has shown that the virus can remain infectious in unpasteurized milk and on milking equipment for at least an hour, raising concerns for dairy workers’ safety. This finding highlights the importance of pasteurization and proper safety measures for handling infected cows.
The highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) virus, which has been circulating in wild birds for years, has now been detected in dairy cows in the United States, raising concerns about its potential to spread to humans. The virus has been found in nearly three dozen dairy herds in eight states, and inactive viral remnants have been detected in grocery store milk. Scientists are concerned that the virus could mutate to become more easily transmissible among people, as it has been known to adapt to spread among different species. The USDA has ordered that all lactating dairy cows in the U.S. be tested for the virus before they can be moved between states, and experts are urging increased surveillance and testing to monitor the outbreak and prevent its further spread.
In response to the recent detection of H5N1 avian flu fragments in the U.S. milk supply, the USDA has implemented a new order requiring all lactating dairy cows that are moved between states to undergo testing for the virus. This measure aims to enhance surveillance efforts and prevent the potential spread of H5N1 through the dairy industry.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has mandated that all dairy cows transported across state lines be tested for bird flu. This comes after the Food and Drug Administration detected fragments of the virus in pasteurized milk samples. The FDA, in collaboration with the USDA, is conducting a nationwide survey to locate the source of the contaminated milk. Despite directives to discard sick cows’ milk and test symptomatic ones, the virus’s presence in the commercial milk supply indicates these measures were insufficient. Scientists are uncertain about the virus’s prevalence and duration, raising concerns about its potential spread. The CDC emphasizes that despite the H5N1 strain’s severity in humans, there is no current threat to public health, with only one reported mild case in a Texas dairy worker.
Federal officials have announced that tests of commercially available milk have detected traces of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The announcement comes amid a national outbreak of the disease among dairy cows. However, officials and experts emphasize that the risk to the public remains low and that there is no evidence of infectious virus in pasteurized milk.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed the presence of inactivated bird flu virus remnants in samples of pasteurized milk, emphasizing that the findings do not pose a health concern to consumers. The agency is currently investigating the issue and expects additional test results in the coming weeks. The detection stems from the recent outbreak of avian influenza affecting dairy cows in multiple states. However, officials reiterate that milk from infected animals is not entering the commercial supply, as it is diverted and destroyed according to federal regulations.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Tuesday that samples of pasteurized milk tested positive for remnants of the H5N1 bird flu virus, which has infected dairy cows in recent months. The FDA emphasized that the viral material is inactivated and does not pose a risk to consumers. Officials continue to monitor the situation and conduct further testing. Despite previous assurances, some milk from affected cattle may have entered the commercial supply. However, pasteurization is known to inactivate heat-sensitive viruses like H5N1.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that samples of pasteurized milk have tested positive for remnants of the bird flu virus. The agency emphasized that the detected material is inactivated and does not pose a safety risk to consumers. Investigations are ongoing, and the FDA maintains that the commercial milk supply remains safe.
Epidemiologists are investigating the possible link between the recent avian flu outbreaks in dairy cows and the use of poultry litter in animal feed. Poultry litter, which is a mixture of manure, feathers, and other materials, can contain disease-causing bacteria and viruses, including the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian flu. Although the practice of feeding poultry litter to cattle is legal in many states, it raises concerns about the potential for disease transmission and the safety of the food supply. California has banned the feeding of poultry litter to lactating dairy cows, but it is still legal to sell it as feed for beef and other cattle. While the federal government does not regulate poultry litter in animal feed, some states have implemented their own regulations to address contamination and processing concerns.
