Fauquier County, Virginia – Federal officials have confirmed that traces of bird flu were discovered in tests conducted on commercially available milk by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Despite this finding, authorities maintain that the risk to the public remains low. The announcement comes amidst a national outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) among dairy cows, spreading to herds in at least eight states.
The disease, known for its high contagion and fatality rate among avian populations, has raised concerns after at least one person contracted the virus from presumably sick animals. Despite the detection of genetic material from the virus in retail milk, there is currently no evidence of infectious virus in pasteurized milk, according to National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Jeanne Marrazzo.
Pasteurization, a long-standing process in the US dairy industry to eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses, may not fully eradicate all traces of a virus. While tests may show residual genetic material such as DNA or RNA in milk after pasteurization, experts like Cornell University food science professor Samuel Alcaine explain that the virus is no longer infectious and therefore does not pose a threat.
Although there have been no specific studies on the inactivation of bird flu in cow’s milk through pasteurization, previous research suggests that similar viruses like H5N1 are likely to be effectively neutralized. The FDA utilized quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) tests to detect bird flu in milk, emphasizing that the genetic material does not represent an actual risk to consumers.
Further analysis on the viability of the virus through egg inoculation tests is underway, with results expected to be released in the coming days or weeks. Despite the presence of traces of bird flu, experts reassure the public that there are no safety concerns associated with consuming milk from infected cows.
As a precautionary measure, the USDA has implemented an order requiring dairy cows to test negative for bird flu before being transported across state lines, aiming to contain the outbreak and protect both livestock health and public safety. While the focus remains on safeguarding farm workers and preventing further transmission, federal officials stress the importance of following regulations in the dairy industry to uphold food safety standards.