Canadian Milk Tests Clear of Bird Flu, Government Assures Safety

Dairy cattle in nine U.S. states have tested positive for H5N1, leading to increased vigilance among dairy workers, though the risk to the general public remains low. In response, Canadian authorities have tightened import controls on U.S. breeding cattle earlier this month, following the first confirmed H5N1 case in a U.S. dairy herd in March and a rare human case in April involving a dairy farm worker.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's laboratories have rigorously tested 142 retail milk samples from across the country, finding no evidence of the disease. The tests are designed to detect even fragments of the virus, ensuring that any potential threat is identified early, even if the virus is not infectious.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also conducted tests on milk samples, confirming no presence of the live virus. However, they continue to caution against consuming unpasteurized raw milk.

With these findings, Canada aims to maintain confidence in the safety and quality of its dairy products amid growing concerns about bird flu transmission in North America.