Avian influenza virus has been detected in retail samples of raw milk from a California dairy farm, health officials announced today, as cases continue to rise across the state.
The contaminated samples were taken from Fresno-based Raw Farms, California's largest producer and retailer of raw dairy products. The contaminated sample was detected by Santa Clara County Public Health Department personnel. The agency is testing raw milk already in retail stores across the state “as a second step in consumer protection.”
Law Farms subsequently announced a voluntary recall of all quart and half-gallon dairy products produced on November 9th. The product expiration date is November 27th and the lot ID number is 20241109.
No cases associated with Raw Farms products have yet been reported.
“This is surprising given that H5N1 infections appear to be spreading rapidly on California farms, and the fact that most of these farm outbreaks are detected through bulk testing of raw milk from farms. “It's not,” said director Jennifer Nuzzo. Brown University Pandemic Center said. Los Angeles Times.
“What we don't know is how much risk the H5N1 virus poses to people who drink infected, unpasteurized milk.”
Although only the “H5” portion of the virus was detected in the sample taken, health officials believe it is still likely contaminated with H5N1. No cases of H5 infection have been reported in the state, and no cattle have been confirmed to be infected.
Law Farm owner Mark McAfee told the Los Angeles Times that this is the first time his company's products have tested positive for the virus since it began signing up for voluntary testing in April.
However, this is not the first time that Law Farm has accidentally put contaminated products on the market. In February, the company had to issue a recall of its raw cheddar cheese products in connection with E. coli outbreaks in multiple states. Dairy companies were also involved. Salmonella outbreak in October 2023 At least 165 people were infected.
Nuzzo told the Los Angeles Times that results from recent animal studies show that avian influenza viruses “may pose a risk if ingested in sufficient quantities, but raw milk There have been no confirmed cases of human infection due to ingestion.” I personally would avoid drinking raw milk, given that there are no reliable health benefits to consuming raw milk. ”
Just last week, a child was reported to have contracted bird flu, making it the first case of a young person in California. Investigators do not yet know how he became infected, but have ruled out contact with infected dairy products, including raw milk, or poultry.
So far, 29 positive cases have been confirmed in the Golden State, all of whom are dairy workers, except for children. Only 55 cases of bird flu have been reported nationwide, with California accounting for about half of all cases.
The virus has also been detected at wastewater sites in Santa Clara County, including Palo Alto, San Jose, Gilroy and Sunnyvale.
It has also been detected in 24 of California's 28 sewage systems, according to testing. wastewater scan.
Recently, states across the country have legalized raw dairy products. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has also expressed a desire to increase people's access to and consumption of raw milk.
