H5N1 Bird Flu Found in Raw Cow’s Milk in the United States, WHO Reports

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that the virus is the cause bird flu H5N1 was found in raw cow’s milk in the United States. WHO says so H5N1 virus found in very high concentrations in raw cow’s milk.

H5N1 was first discovered in 1996, as reported The Sun. However, bird flu outbreaks in bird populations have started to increase dramatically since 2020. This outbreak has resulted in the death of millions of birds and wild birds in various parts of the the world

Since then, H5N1 has started attacking mammals, such as cats, bears, foxes, mink, penguins, and humans. In early April 2024, cattle will also be included in the ranks of the H5N1-targeted species.

The United States confirmed that findings of H5N1 in raw cow’s milk have been confirmed or are still under investigation in eight states. The eight states are Texas, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Idaho, Ohio, North Carolina and South Dakota.

Not only did they detect H5N1, the United States authorities also reported one case of H5N1 infection in humans. This case was found in a dairy farm worker in Texas. The employee is suspected of having contracted H5N1 from the stock he manages.

“This case in Texas is the first case of humans getting bird flu from a cow,” the head of WHO’s global influenza program, Dr. Wenqing Zhang, was quoted as saying. Daily Mail on Saturday (20/4/2024).

The worker is also the second American to be infected with bird flu in history. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the worker had a mild infection and showed only one symptom, swelling in one eye.

The worker is currently isolated and recovering well. The team of doctors treated the worker with medication oseltamivir or Tamiflu. According to experts, the worker may not have transmitted the virus to others.

Dr. Zhang explained that H5N1 has been found in high concentrations in raw cow’s milk in the United States. This milk comes from cows that have bird flu. Now, experts are doing research to find out how long the H5N1 virus can survive in milk.

In connection with these findings, the Texas Department of Health stated that the public need not be concerned about the commercial milk supply. Raw cow’s milk from sick cows will be destroyed and will not be supplied and processed into commercial milk.

In addition, the milk pasteurization process is also able to kill viruses, including the H5N1 virus. Therefore, pasteurized milk that is widely marketed is safe to consume.

“It is also important for people to implement food safety practices, including eating only pasteurized milk and milk products,” said Dr. Zhang.