Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak in Dairy Cattle
An outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has affected dairy cattle herds nationwide, with one reported case in a human with mild symptoms.
Safe Pasteurized Milk in US Stores
American health authorities have assured that pasteurized milk sold in US stores is safe from the bird flu, as pasteurization effectively eliminates the disease.
On Thursday, the FDA revealed that a portion of retail milk samples tested positive for viral fragments, particularly in areas where herds are infected. Despite this, the pasteurization process is believed to mitigate health risks associated with the virus in milk.
The FDA, in collaboration with the US Department of Agriculture and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, is actively investigating the outbreak. Preliminary results suggest that pasteurization is effective in deactivating HPAI.
Confirmation of Bird Flu Outbreak in Dairy Cows
Recent tests have confirmed the presence of bird flu in dairy cows across multiple states, with the H5N1 strain detected for the first time. While the virus has been found in milk samples, there is no evidence suggesting a direct health risk to consumers.
Regulators continue to monitor the situation closely and conduct PCR testing to detect genetic material of the virus. It is important to note that a positive result does not necessarily indicate the presence of a live, infectious virus.