Bird Flu Virus Detected in California Raw Milk

Improve the News Foundation -

Facts

  • Santa Clara County public health officials announced Sunday that bird flu virus was detected in raw milk samples from Raw Farm, California's largest raw dairy producer.[1][2]
  • At the state's request, Raw Farm voluntarily recalled all quart and half-gallon milk products produced on Nov. 9 bearing a specific identification code.[3]
  • Although no H5 cases have been identified in any cows and only the H5 part of the virus was detected in the collected samples, health officials claim they're still likely contaminated with H5N1.[4]
  • This comes as California reported 29 positive H5N1 cases of bird flu, with all but one case occurring in dairy workers with direct contact with infected cows.[5]
  • No illnesses linked to the affected raw milk products have been reported. However, the California Department of Food and Agriculture will increase testing frequency to twice per week at Raw Farm's retail locations.[6]
  • Raw Farm previously faced contamination issues — including an E. coli outbreak across multiple states and a salmonella outbreak in October 2023 that affected 165 people.[7]

Sources: [1]Newsweek, [2]The Guardian, [3]Los Angeles Times, [4]New York Post, [5]NBC, [6]Forbes and [7]Daily Mail.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by The Telegraph. Raw milk poses significant health risks as it hasn't undergone pasteurization to kill dangerous pathogens, including bacteria and viruses that can cause serious illness. The bird flu virus could be dangerous if consumed in large quantities through raw milk, yet thousands of Americans continue to lose their lives thanks to high-profile figures who insist on promoting its consumption.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Raw Milk Institute. There's no evidence to support that bird flu gets transmitted from person to person through consumption of raw milk, or that raw milk has no credible health benefits. Raw milk consumption is a matter of consumer choice and natural food options. Excessive regulation of natural dairy products deprives Americans of their rights. FDA's war on public health must end.

Predictions