Bird Flu Detected in Pasteurized Milk, Yet Deemed Safe by FDA

Despite findings of bird flu virus fragments in pasteurized milk, officials assure the safety of the milk supply.

In recent developments, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed the detection of bird flu virus fragments in some samples of pasteurized milk across the United States. This announcement, made on April 23, 2024, follows closely on the heels of a bird flu outbreak in dairy cow herds across several states.

Despite the detection of these fragments through PCR testing, which identifies genetic material from the virus, the FDA reassures the public that the milk remains safe to consume. The agency explains that while pasteurization may not remove the virus particles entirely, it is expected to inactivate them, rendering them non-infectious.

Ongoing Investigations and Safety Measures

The bird flu virus, specifically the H5N1 strain, was first identified in dairy cows in the U.S. less than a month ago and has since been found in eight states. The FDA, alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is actively investigating the outbreak.

The FDA is currently conducting further tests to confirm the effectiveness of pasteurization against the bird flu virus in cow's milk. Results are expected soon, and the agency plans to use egg inoculation tests to determine the infectivity of the samples.

Despite assurances, there remains a need for more comprehensive information and transparency regarding the spread and control of the virus in dairy farms. The FDA has advised milk producers to handle milk from infected cows with caution to prevent further spread of the virus.

So far, only one human case has been linked to this outbreak—a dairy worker in Texas who developed a mild case of conjunctivitis (pinkeye) but no severe illness.

Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely, especially concerning the high mortality rate of the bird flu virus and the potential for it to mutate into a form more easily transmissible between humans.