In a recent announcement by the Food and Drug Administration, it has been revealed that traces of the bird flu virus have been detected in approximately 20% of samples of pasteurized milk. The prevalence of the virus in the milk supply has shocked researchers, who previously believed it to be at far lower levels. The sampled milk was drawn from a nationally representative pool, with a higher prevalence of positive results observed in milk originating from regions with infected herds of dairy cows.
The FDA spokesperson declined to disclose the exact number of samples tested, but the findings underscore the potentially widespread impact of the virus on dairy products. As of the latest update, bird flu has been identified in 33 herds across eight states, including Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, Ohio, and Texas.
Richard Webby, an influenza virologist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, commented on the findings, noting that while the proportion of positive samples aligns with his previous observations from smaller datasets, the absolute number appears disproportionately high compared to the reported cases of infected farms. This disjunction suggests a broader prevalence of infected animals than officially documented.
Following the initial discovery of viral fragments in commercially available milk, the USDA issued a federal mandate requiring all dairy cows to undergo testing for bird flu before interstate transportation. Despite the detection of viral remnants in milk samples, health authorities claim that pasteurization effectively neutralizes the virus, rendering the milk safe for consumption. Dr. Andrew Bowman, a veterinary epidemiologist at Ohio State University, reiterated the safety of pasteurized milk, emphasizing that the detected fragments do not constitute live, infectious virus, but rather fragments.
To dispel fears of contamination, the FDA has assured the safety of the commercial milk supply, affirming that pasteurization is an effective measure against the bird flu virus. Studies are currently being conducted to assess the impact of pasteurization on the virus in milk, with results expected to be released in the coming weeks.
The bird flu virus, identified as a strain of H5N1, raises concerns due to its steep fatality rate, with over half of reported cases resulting in death according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, it is important to note that the virus does not easily transmit between humans, and the severity of illness in reported cases has been relatively mild. The limited instances of human infection underscore the current low risk of widespread infection. Given the low transmissibility rate of the virus, it is unlikely that it could culminate in a pandemic.
Nonetheless public officials are concerned about the ongoing situation due to the potential for the virus to mutate into a form that facilitates easier human-to-human transmission. While two reported cases of bird flu in the United States, including one in the current outbreak and another in 2022, have been mild, the possibility of future mutations is possible given the increased prevalence of the virus. Health officials have affirmed confidence in America’s milk supply, but enacted policies to slow the potential spread of the virus among livestock.