FDA Discovers Bird Flu Virus Traces in Grocery Store Milk, Assures Safety of Product

The FDA has found traces of the bird flu virus in grocery store milk but confirms that the product remains safe for consumption. The agency assures the public that rigorous testing and safety protocols are in place to ensure health risks are mitigated.

The FDA has detected the avian flu virus in dairy milk, raising concerns about food safety. However, commercially available milk products are considered safe for consumption due to the pasteurization process they undergo.

It's important to note that raw milk products may pose a risk of carrying the avian flu virus, among other potential hazards. Consumers are advised to opt for pasteurized milk products to minimize health risks associated with foodborne illnesses.

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has been detected in dairy milk in the United States. However, the FDA has assured the public that the risk of this disease causing illness in humans is low.

In a recent advisory, the Food and Drug Administration, in collaboration with the CDC and the USDA, announced an investigation into the presence of H5N1 avian influenza in dairy cows and their milk.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is extremely contagious and often fatal in poultry. Despite its name, it is not easily transmissible to humans, although isolated cases of human infections have occurred.

The FDA emphasized that while bird flu has been identified in raw milk, as well as traces of the H5N1 virus in milk sold at grocery stores, commercially available dairy products remain safe for consumption. This assurance is largely due to the fact that almost all commercial dairy products (99%) undergo pasteurization.

However, it's important to note that the virus may be present in raw milk products, a risk that the FDA has consistently warned consumers about.

Dr. William Schaffner, a Professor of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, echoed the FDA's assessment, stating that the transmission of the disease, particularly through milk, is unlikely.

"This is a virus that does not have the genetic capacity to be transmitted from person to person. And this virus has been around in the world, in bird populations for a decade, and it still has not acquired this capacity," Dr. Schaffner stated in an interview with Healthline.

He further emphasized his confidence in consuming milk-containing products, stating, "I have in my hand a cup of coffee with milk in it. I put milk into my oatmeal. I had no concern about it."

‍How does avian flu enter the milk supply?

According to the latest information, the FDA has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cow herds across several states, including Idaho, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas, and others. In response, regulators issued a federal order requiring testing for and reporting of HPAI in livestock.

While HPAI has been detected in dairy cows, regulators and public health authorities are currently aware of only two cases of transmission to humans.

In early April, the CDC reported a case in Texas where an individual tested positive for HPAI after exposure to dairy cattle. The patient experienced symptoms of conjunctivitis ("pink eye") and received antiviral medication for flu.

A previous case occurred in Colorado in 2022, where an individual working with HPAI-infected poultry tested positive for the disease, exhibiting symptoms of fatigue and receiving antiviral treatment.

Zoonotic diseases, which are transmitted between animals and humans, are prevalent. The CDC reports that over 60% of infectious diseases in humans can be transmitted from animals, and 75% of emerging diseases originate from animals.

Transmission can occur between different species of animals, such as birds and cows. Dr. William Schaffner explained that wild birds can excrete the virus into the environment through their saliva, urine, and feces, potentially contaminating water sources and feedlots. In densely populated herds, such as those found in feedlots, transmission among cows can occur.

Overall, the transmission of HPAI among animals and potentially to humans underscores the importance of vigilance in monitoring and controlling zoonotic diseases to safeguard public health.

‍Commercial dairy products remain safe for consumption primarily due to the pasteurization process they undergo

While virus particles of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been detected in pasteurized milk, the risk of transmission of HPAI through pasteurized milk is extremely unlikely. However, there may be a potential risk of transmission through raw milk.

Joseph Lambson, PharmD, Director of the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center, and an Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy, emphasized that the FDA has no concerns regarding the contamination of the milk supply with HPAI and does not perceive any health threats or concerns for consumers at this time.

However, Lambson cautioned against consuming raw milk or products made from raw milk due to the increased risk of infection. He added that this highly virulent form of avian flu should be considered among the list of potential risks associated with raw milk consumption.

The FDA warns that raw milk can harbor dangerous pathogens such as salmonella, listeria, and campylobacter.

Commercially available milk undergoes pasteurization, a process in which milk is heated and then cooled to destroy pathogens. This process has been employed for over a century in the United States for public health purposes.

Sylvia Ley, PhD, an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, explained that pasteurization is mandated by the FDA for milk transported between states, and it should effectively kill the virus. While viral fragments may persist in milk after pasteurization, they are not considered to pose a risk to consumer health.

Furthermore, both the FDA and USDA have confirmed that milk from sick cows is being removed from the food supply.

Lambson recommended contacting a poison control center if there are concerns about consuming a contaminated product. This allows individuals to receive medical advice on symptoms to watch for and whether medical treatment is necessary. Additionally, reporting such incidents aids in surveillance efforts to monitor potential increases in exposures.

In summary, commercial dairy products are considered safe for consumption due to the rigorous pasteurization process they undergo.

The FDA has detected avian influenza in dairy milk, raising concerns about food safety.

Regulators have emphasized that there is minimal to no risk of infection from commercial milk products due to the pasteurization process. However, the virus may potentially be present in raw milk.

To date, only two cases of transmission of the virus to humans have been reported.

Source: Healthline