United States: This past summer, the presence of inactive avian influenza virus particles was detected in approximately one out of every six dairy products available in US retail outlets, as per regulatory observations.
This ratio marked a slight decrease from previous figures when the pathogen was initially discovered within the nation’s dairy cattle.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that none of the 167 examined samples—including milk, ice cream, hard cheese, butter, cream cheese, and aged raw milk cheese—contained active H5N1 avian influenza virus.
These findings underscore the continued safety of pasteurized dairy products for public consumption, according to crainsnewyork.com.
This survey represents the FDA’s second investigation, following an initial study in April that identified inactive viral elements in 20 percent of the dairy products tested. The most recent survey encompassed a broader range of food items across multiple states, prompting the FDA to note that direct comparisons with previous results may be limited.
“There is an evident concern regarding the potential and actual ramifications on human health,” stated Eric Deeble, Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at the Department of Agriculture. “Nonetheless, I believe the response measures are sufficiently robust,” as per crainsnewyork.com.
Notably, none of the raw milk products examined showed traces of H5N1 genetic material, suggesting that these samples originated from cows free of infection. However, the FDA clarified that this does not imply that raw milk is inherently safe for consumption.
Cows identified as infected are systematically excluded from the commercial food chain. A separate examination of hamburgers deliberately inoculated with the virus demonstrated that adequate cooking rendered them safe for human consumption, as reported by Emilio Esteban, USDA’s Under Secretary for Food Safety.
Reportedly, as of August 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported thirteen human cases testing positive for the virus this year. Additionally, 189 dairy herds across 13 states have been affected by the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. The USDA has identified the upcoming fall season, characterized by increased interstate cattle movement, as a significant risk factor for herd-to-herd transmission.