April 8, 2024
US federal agencies and veterinarians assure safety amid bird flu outbreak
Amid an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in poultry and cattle across the US, federal agencies and veterinarians have assured the public that there is no risk of humans falling ill from America's food supply, if the meat is cooked and milk is pasteurised, ABC News reported.
Dr Jeff Bender, a public health veterinarian and professor at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health, emphasised that commercial food, including milk and meat, remains safe for consumption, especially with pasteurisation and cooking, which effectively eliminates the virus.
However, concerns arise regarding unpasteurised milk or cheeses, as the virus's impact on these products remains uncertain, prompting warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) against their consumption due to potential health risks.
Dr Sumiko Mekaru, vice president of Research & Innovation at PHC Global, a bio risk threat intelligence platform provider, said pasteurisation is important for ensuring milk safety, noting that regulated federal standards mandate pasteurisation for milk crossing state lines.
While 20 states prohibit intrastate raw milk sales to some extent, 30 states allow it, according to FDA data, underscoring varying regulations across the country.
Despite the outbreak, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reassured that there is no current impact on milk supply or prices, with seasonal increases in production during the spring months providing stability.
Furthermore, the USDA asserted the safety of the meat supply, highlighting that cooking meats to a safe internal temperature effectively eliminates bacteria and viruses like influenza.
Recent actions, such as the depopulation of nearly two million chickens by the largest US egg producer, demonstrate proactive measures to contain the spread of the virus, with a focus on biosecurity in poultry operations.
While cattle have been impacted, the USDA indicates that they generally require no extensive treatment, with most infected cattle recovering after isolation from other animals.
As experts investigate potential transmission routes, including from birds to mammals, concerns about inter-species spread persist, with ongoing research examining the virus's impact on various animal populations.
Dr Mekaru said it is important to understand species-specific characteristics in virus transmission, acknowledging differences among animals in susceptibility and transmission patterns.
- ABC News
