Dairy
Bird Flu Detected in the Nation’s Milk Supply
Studies have found fragments of bird flu virus in about 20% of the milk supply. It’s not expected to pose a threat to humans, but may indicate the outbreak is more widespread than previously thought.
Milk samples collected from grocery stores have revealed viral fragments of the bird flu, as reported by the Washington Post. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made this announcement on Tuesday after conducting tests on milk samples during dairy production, indicating that some contained viral particles.
While this discovery highlights the avian flu’s impact on dairy herds, the FDA reassured the public that there is no threat to human health. In a statement, the agency clarified that the presence of the virus “does not mean that the sample contains an intact, infectious pathogen.”
The next steps involve culturing the virus in cells and fertilized eggs to determine if any intact pathogens remain and whether they are still infectious. This testing will help assess any potential risk of illness from consuming the affected products. Results from these tests are expected in the coming days or weeks; however, the FDA emphasized that the commercial milk supply remains safe.
Since March 25, more than two dozen livestock herds across at least eight states have been affected by the avian flu, prompting the FDA’s investigation, according to the Washington Post. The FDA also stated that the pasteurization process effectively inactivates pathogens, eliminating any threat to the nation’s milk supply.
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