JoNel Aleccia/AP
Bottles of uncooked milk are displayed on the market at a retailer in Temecula, Calif., on Wednesday, Might 8, 2024. (AP Picture/JoNel Aleccia)
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Because the H5N1 chicken flu Because the virus spreads by means of dairy cattle, the US Meals and Drug Administration is asking states to take extra steps to guard the general public from the dangers of uncooked milk.
In an open letter posted to the company’s web site on Thursday, it urged states to warn the general public extra strongly concerning the risks of uncooked milk and to check herds that produce it on the market.
The FDA additionally really useful that states use their regulatory authorities to cease the sale of uncooked milk inside the state or in areas the place dairy herds have examined constructive.
On Thursday, Minnesota turned the tenth state to report contaminated herdsIn response to the US Division of Agriculture, 82 herds within the US have examined constructive for the H5N1 virus.
The FDA does not enable the sale of uncooked milk throughout state strains, however a number of states enable the sale of uncooked milk for human consumption inside their borders, with various necessities. Some states enable uncooked milk to be bought as pet meals labeled “not for human consumption,” understanding that what individuals do with the milk in their very own properties is as much as them.
Uncooked milk can carry excessive ranges of the H5N1 chicken flu virus as a result of the virus seems to contaminate cows by means of their udders. It’s not but recognized whether or not individuals can get chicken flu by ingesting milk contaminated with the virus. Nonetheless, cats residing on farms with contaminated cows have died after consuming unpasteurized milk, and three dairy employees uncovered to uncooked milk have been contaminated.
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“Given the present and potential future dangers that HPAI H5N1 virus poses to our nation’s public well being, in addition to the well being of our nation’s food-producing animals and wildlife, it is very important work collectively to reduce the extra publicity of people and different animals species,” wrote Dr. Don Prater, appearing director of the Middle for Meals Security and Utilized Diet, who’s main the company’s H5N1 response.
Past chicken flu, the FDA says well being dangers of uncooked milk contains sickness, miscarriages, stillbirths, kidney failure and dying.
Along with stronger warnings concerning the risks of consuming uncooked milk, the FDA is asking states to watch dairy cattle herds for indicators of sickness that may point out an infection with H5N1 chicken flu virus and inform farms to soundly discard milk from sick cows.
Any uncooked milk or uncooked milk merchandise from uncovered cattle which can be fed to calves or another animals ought to be heat-treated or pasteurized, the FDA mentioned.
The FDA can also be calling on states to implement surveillance testing for the presence of H5N1 virus in dairy herds that could be engaged in producing uncooked milk and to report their outcomes to state and federal regulatory companies.
The company mentioned it might quickly share new analysis and information on each chicken flu virus in uncooked milk and uncooked milk merchandise.
