Study Shows Raw Milk Can Transmit Bird Flu to Mice, Reinforcing Risks to Human Health
Source: The DairyNews
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that feeding mice with raw milk contaminated with the bird flu virus resulted in their infection, underscoring the dangers of consuming unpasteurized milk, Reuters reported.
The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, demonstrated that the virus quickly induced signs of illness in the mice, including lethargy. High concentrations of the virus were detected in the respiratory system of the mice, with varying levels present in other organs, mirroring the infection patterns observed in other mammals.
The findings arrive amidst concerns about bird flu's potential impact on global health, following confirmed cases among individuals in close contact with infected birds or poultry. In the United States, a recent case of bird flu was identified in a Michigan dairy worker, marking the second human infection linked to this outbreak. The study highlights the risk posed by raw milk, which is legally sold in 30 states but represents a minor fraction of total milk sales.
Additionally, the research noted that bird flu virus levels decrease slowly when raw milk is stored at refrigeration temperatures. Despite this, the prevalence of bird flu virus particles in pasteurized milk, which undergoes heating to eliminate pathogens, was found to be around 20% in a nationwide survey. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to advise against the consumption of raw milk, urging dairy farms to ensure all milk is pasteurized before disposal.
The findings arrive amidst concerns about bird flu's potential impact on global health, following confirmed cases among individuals in close contact with infected birds or poultry. In the United States, a recent case of bird flu was identified in a Michigan dairy worker, marking the second human infection linked to this outbreak. The study highlights the risk posed by raw milk, which is legally sold in 30 states but represents a minor fraction of total milk sales.
Additionally, the research noted that bird flu virus levels decrease slowly when raw milk is stored at refrigeration temperatures. Despite this, the prevalence of bird flu virus particles in pasteurized milk, which undergoes heating to eliminate pathogens, was found to be around 20% in a nationwide survey. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to advise against the consumption of raw milk, urging dairy farms to ensure all milk is pasteurized before disposal.
