**FDA Urges States to Intensify Efforts Against Bird Flu in Raw Milk Amid Rising Dairy Cow Infections**
In a significant move to combat the spread of bird flu among dairy cows, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has called upon state and local authorities to enhance measures aimed at safeguarding the public from the dangers of consuming raw milk. This plea comes in the wake of an escalating bird flu outbreak, with Minnesota marking the 10th state to report an infected dairy herd, bringing the total to 82 U.S. herds afflicted by the H5N1 avian virus.
The FDA’s concern stems from the potential health risks posed by raw milk, which has been identified as a carrier of high levels of the H5N1 bird flu virus. The virus is believed to infect cows through their udders, raising alarms over the possibility of transmission to humans. Although it remains uncertain whether the virus can be contracted by drinking contaminated milk, instances of cats dying after consuming raw milk on affected farms and three dairy workers getting infected have heightened fears.
In response to these developments, the FDA has issued an open letter urging more rigorous testing of herds producing raw milk for sale. The agency is also advocating for states to leverage their regulatory powers to halt the sale of raw milk from herds that have tested positive for the virus. While the sale of raw milk across state lines is prohibited by the FDA, the sale within state borders is permitted in several states under varying regulations.
Dr. Don Prater, leading the FDA’s response to the H5N1 outbreak, emphasized the importance of collective action to mitigate the risks to public health, as well as to the health of the nation’s food-producing animals and wildlife. The FDA is also recommending that any raw milk or raw milk products from exposed cattle intended for consumption by calves or other animals be subjected to heat treatment or pasteurization.
As the agency prepares to release new research and data on the presence of the bird flu virus in raw milk and its products, the call for heightened precautions underscores the urgency of addressing this public health concern. The FDA’s proactive stance aims to prevent further spread of the virus, safeguarding both human health and the dairy industry from the far-reaching impacts of this outbreak.