The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has detected remnants of the bird flu virus in samples of pasteurized milk. However, the FDA emphasizes that the material is inactivated and poses no risk to consumers. The findings come after the virus was detected in dairy cows in at least eight states, prompting concerns about the safety of the milk supply. The FDA is continuing to study the issue, but officials maintain that the commercial milk supply is safe.
Remnants of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus have been identified in pasteurized milk in the United States, prompting concerns about the potential for asymptomatic spread in cattle. While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains that the milk supply is safe, experts warn of the need for transparency and urgency in sharing investigation details to safeguard public trust and enable a global response to this major threat.
Inactive remnants of the H5N1 bird flu virus have been detected in samples of pasteurized milk around the country, federal regulators announced on Tuesday. While scientists have criticized the government’s response to the outbreak, officials maintain that the commercial milk supply remains safe. The virus fragments do not pose a health risk to consumers, as pasteurization is designed to kill viruses and inactivate flu viruses specifically. However, the discovery raises concerns about the potential spread of the outbreak, as experts suggest the problem in dairy cows may be more extensive than previously thought.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has detected genetic fragments of the highly-pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 in pasteurized, commercial milk. However, testing has yet to determine if the genetic material is from live and infectious viral particles or just remnants of dead ones. Further testing is underway to determine the viability of H5N1 in milk samples.
Inactive fragments of the H5N1 bird flu virus have been detected in pasteurized milk in eight states, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) emphasized that these viral remnants pose no health risk to consumers due to the pasteurization process, which destroys harmful bacteria and viruses. Scientists have not found any evidence suggesting that humans can contract bird flu from consuming pasteurized or properly cooked food.
Analysis of genomic data from infected cattle in the US suggests that the H5N1 bird flu strain may have been circulating in animals since late 2023, raising concerns about its potential to infect mammals, including humans. The virus has already been detected in 36 dairy herds across eight states, and its ability to spread between cows is a significant development. Health officials are urging for improved pathogen surveillance and the release of more information by the USDA to better understand the spread of the virus and its potential risks.
According to a recent survey, a majority of experts believe that the next pandemic is likely to be caused by a flu virus strain. This concern stems from the long-term research on influenza, which shows that while seasonal outbreaks are typically controlled, a new strain with increased virulence could lead to a global outbreak. The flu virus is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause severe symptoms, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. Vaccination remains the most effective way to curb its spread, and experts emphasize the importance of personal hygiene practices to minimize the risk of transmission. Additionally, scientists are also monitoring the potential for avian influenza virus (H5N1) to evolve and pose a threat to humans.
Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, has been detected in both cows and humans in the United States for the first time. The strain of bird flu involved is highly pathogenic H5N1, which causes severe disease in birds and can be fatal. While the risk to the general public is considered low, health officials are calling for increased monitoring of infected animals and people exposed to them.
To increase transparency and support disease research, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published genetic data from avian flu virus samples. The release comes after scientists raised concerns about the limited public information available to assess the outbreak’s risk. While the virus has not significantly impacted the dairy industry or milk supply, it has decimated bird populations and infected various mammal species, including cattle, a cat, and a human. The USDA released 239 genetic sequences of H5N1 samples from different animals and has previously shared sequences from the initial outbreak on a Texas dairy farm.
A highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 bird flu has spread worldwide since 2020, killing millions of poultry and other birds. Now, it’s threatening marine mammals, with devastating outbreaks in elephant seals and sea lions in South America. Experts warn that the virus is adapting to mammals, raising concerns about its potential to spread to humans. The current outbreaks in dairy cows and mink suggest that H5N1 may be on the brink of becoming transmissible among people. Scientists emphasize the need for increased monitoring, international cooperation, and proactive measures to prevent a human pandemic.
