California Farm’s Raw Milk Sales Suspended Amid Bird Flu Fears
California health authorities have taken action against a Central Valley dairy farm, halting sales of its raw milk due to concerns about avian flu contamination.
Raw Farm, based in Fresno, saw its raw dairy products pulled from store shelves on Thursday, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. Existing stock can still be sold, the newspaper reported. Raw Farm itself has not yet responded to requests for comment.
This dramatic move follows a public health warning issued by state officials last Sunday, urging Californians to avoid Raw Farm’s cream top, whole raw milk from Fresno County. Consumers were advised to return any potentially tainted milk where it was purchased. Raw Farm voluntarily recalled a specific lot (code 20241109) that had been the subject of testing.
The situation is further complicated by conflicting test results for bird flu. County public health officials had found evidence of the virus in raw milk bought from local stores. However, state-level tests on bulk samples yielded no signs of the virus, according to the Los Angeles Times.
A fresh round of testing conducted on Raw Farm products yielded positive results for bird flu on Wednesday, leading to the suspension of sales.
Mark McAfee, owner of Raw Farm, admitted that his cows are infected with the H5N1 bird flu virus, but claimed it wasn ‘t detected until this week because "the cows are so healthy that they don’t show the classic signs or symptoms."
This incident coincides with a worrying rise in human cases of the dangerous H5N1 bird flu strain across the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 55 cases spread across seven states as of Friday, with the majority concentrated in California. Last week, the agency announced the first confirmed case of avian influenza H5 virus infection in a child in the U.S., though details about the child’s condition remain unclear.
[Image of Raw Farm raw milk products, provided by the California Department of Public Health]
Adding a layer of complexity to the situation is the staunch support for raw milk voiced by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has repeatedly touted the benefits of raw milk consumption and has pledged to dismantle what he claims is the "aggressive suppression" of its availability. He has even publicly shared his own preference for drinking raw milk.
Meanwhile, scientists are sounding the alarm, warning that the avian flu virus may be more widespread than initially thought. Dr. Marcela Uhart, a wildlife veterinarian at the University of California-Davis’ One Health Institute, painted a stark picture: "We are in a soup of virus. I mean, there’s virus everywhere around us at this point. This virus is circulating left and right in mammals and in birds, as far as we can tell, some of them are not showing any signs of disease," she said earlier this month.
Experts emphasize that bird flu is primarily spread to humans through direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated environments. Farm workers are at particular risk, as they can inhale infected particles, touch infected surfaces, and then touch their faces. Consumers can also contract the virus by drinking unpasteurized cow’s milk.
However, individuals with no known exposure to infected poultry or other sources of contamination are considered to be at very low risk of infection. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, as well as any poultry meat that has been handled carefully, do not pose a threat of infection.
The CDC continues to monitor the situation closely.
## World today News Exclusive Interview:
**California Raw Milk Scare: Expert Weighs in on Avian Flu Threat**
**By [Your Name], Senior Editor**
The recent suspension of raw milk sales from Raw Farm in Fresno, California, due to avian flu concerns has raised alarm bells nationally. To shed light on the potential dangers and the implications of this incident, we spoke with **Dr. Emily Carter**, a leading virologist and expert in zoonotic diseases at the University of California, Davis.
**WTN:** dr. Carter, thank you for joining us. Can you help our readers understand how avian flu can contaminate raw milk?
**Dr. Carter:** Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a viral infection primarily affecting birds. However,it can spread to other animals,including mammals like cows. If an infected bird comes into contact with a dairy cow, weather through feces, respiratory droplets, or shared water sources, the virus can be transmitted.
Raw milk, unlike pasteurized milk, is not heated to temperatures that kill bacteria and viruses.This means that if a cow infected with avian flu sheds the virus in its milk, the virus can remain viable and potentially contaminate raw milk products.
**WTN:** Raw Farm owner, mark McAfee, claims his cows are “so healthy” they don’t show symptoms. Is this possible?
**Dr. Carter:** While some animals may exhibit mild symptoms, avian flu can be asymptomatic in certain animals, especially those with strong immune systems. However, this doesn’t mean they aren’t shedding the virus. Asymptomatic infection is a concern because it can contribute to the silent spread of the disease.
**WTN:** What are the potential health risks for humans who consume raw milk contaminated with avian flu?
**Dr. Carter:** Avian influenza can cause a range of symptoms in humans, from mild flu-like illness to severe respiratory problems and even death. While the risk of human-to-human transmission is currently low, consuming contaminated raw milk increases the chances of contracting the virus.
**WTN:** How concerning is the conflicting test result situation in this case?
**Dr. Carter:** The conflicting test results are indeed concerning. They highlight the challenges of diagnosing and controlling outbreaks, especially when dealing with asymptomatic animals. Further investigation is needed to determine the cause of the inconsistencies and to ensure accurate testing protocols are in place.
**WTN:** What steps should consumers take to protect themselves considering this incident?
**dr.Carter:** My advice is simple: avoid consuming raw milk. The potential risks associated with consuming raw milk, including avian flu and other bacteria, outweigh any purported benefits. Opt for pasteurized milk and dairy products, which are safe and readily available.
**WTN:** What does this incident tell us about the broader issue of food safety?
**Dr. Carter:** This incident underscores the importance of strong food safety regulations, vigilant monitoring, and rapid response systems. It also highlights the need for consumers to be informed about the risks associated with consuming unpasteurized products. We must constantly strive to improve our understanding of zoonotic diseases and findings ways to prevent their spread.
**Thank you for your insights, Dr. Carter. We hope this interview has helped clarify the situation for our readers.**
