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 Philippines has imposed a ban on the importation of birds and poultry products from Australia in response to recent outbreaks of bird flu in the country. The ban, which takes effect immediately, includes all types of wild and domestic birds, as well as poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen. Australia was previously the Philippines’ fourth-largest source of chicken meat imports, accounting for 4% of the total volume. The ban comes amid growing concerns about the spread of H5N1 bird flu, which has recently been detected in wild birds and poultry farms in several countries. The virus has been known to infect humans, and a recent study found that it is now able to spread between cattle and humans.
The Kerala district administration has confirmed an avian flu (H5N1) outbreak at the government-run regional poultry farm in Manarcad. Authorities have initiated measures to contain the outbreak, including euthanizing and cremating all domesticated and pet birds within a one-kilometer radius of the farm. Disinfection and surveillance measures have been implemented in the affected area, and a ban on the sale and import of poultry products has been imposed in the Kottayam district. The National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases lab in Bhopal confirmed the H5N1 outbreak after testing samples from chickens that had died in large numbers at the farm.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified a second human case of bird flu linked to the ongoing outbreak on U.S. dairy farms. Both cases involved dairy workers exposed to cows infected with the H5N1 avian influenza strain, which has been detected in cattle in nine states. While raw milk from infected cows has tested positive for the virus, no human infections have been linked to consuming it. The CDC maintains that the risk to the general public remains low, but recommends avoiding close contact with sick or dead animals, their waste, or unpasteurized milk from infected sources.
Health experts warn against consuming raw milk to gain immunity from bird flu, citing potential health risks and increased risk of virus transmission to humans. Despite these warnings, some proponents of raw milk remain unfazed, claiming that pasteurization is harmful. However, officials emphasize the low risk to the general public, the limited evidence on transmission through dairy products, and the need for ongoing research.
The ongoing H5N1 outbreak highlights the urgent need for India to address the unsafe conditions in industrial livestock production, which pose significant threats to public health, animal welfare, and the environment. Experts have long warned of the potential for a disaster, and the current outbreak has underscored the critical need to implement legal reforms that prioritize animal welfare and enforce environmental regulations.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified traces of the H5N1 bird flu virus in one out of five milk samples collected from retail stores nationwide. This finding suggests a wider prevalence of the virus than previously detected, raising concerns among scientists and health experts. Despite the positive test results, the FDA emphasizes that there is no immediate risk to consumers, as investigations by National Institutes of Health-funded researchers indicate the absence of infectious virus in the milk supply.
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.
A highly pathogenic strain of bird flu has infected tens of thousands of birds and has begun to spread among mammals, including a dairy worker in Texas. The virus, known as H5N1, can mutate and spread among humans, raising concerns about a potential pandemic. While the current threat to public health remains low, experts urge swift action to prevent the virus from becoming more widespread.
