FDA Detects Bird Flu Traces in Retail Milk, Prompting Expanded Testing

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.

Fragments of Bird Flu Virus Detected in Milk Samples, but No Increased Risk to Humans

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has detected fragments of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in some samples of milk. However, the agency emphasizes that these fragments are not infectious and pose no increased risk to human health. The FDA conducted testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and found the presence of viral fragments in the milk samples. Experts believe that pasteurization likely inactivates the virus, but it does not remove the viral particles. The FDA and other agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), continue to monitor the situation and conduct studies to assess the potential risks. Currently, the risk to the general population is considered low, and the commercial milk supply remains safe due to pasteurization and other safety measures.

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