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Laboratory testing by the US Department of Agriculture found no H1N1 bird flu virus in raw beef, but it's a good reminder why eating rare hamburger can be dangerous.
In a series of experiments to test safe food handling recommendations after the discovery of the H5N1 bird flu virus in dairy cattle, the USDA recently mixed a surrogate virus into ground beef and then cooked the patties at different times and temperatures.
Researchers found no viruses in hamburgers cooked up to 145 degrees, the medium burger temperature, or well-done burgers up to 160 degrees. Eric Dibble, USDA's senior adviser on highly pathogenic avian influenza, said they found some live virus in patties cooked at 120 degrees or less, although the virus was “at a much, much reduced level.”
It is not yet known whether that small amount of virus can make someone sick.
Like Salmonella and E. The USDA previously recommended that consumers prepare ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees on a thermometer to prevent infections caused by E. coli bacteria.
“I don't think anyone should change any of the safe food handling or safe cooking practices that are already recommended,” Deble said.
USDA announces $22 million in new government investments to protect animal health. Much of the funding goes to the Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program and the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, a network of government laboratories.
Some labs need to update or upgrade equipment and there are people who want to add capacity to labs where more people work. And this funding will help support those types of projects,” Deble said Thursday.
Between May 6 and May 12, the National Laboratory Network conducted 1,100 H5N1 bird flu tests on cattle, of which 278 tested positive, Deble said. He cautioned that the number of tests does not reflect the number of animals tested or the number of positives, as multiple samples may be taken from the same animal or tests may be combined. Approximately 600 tests were conducted under USDA's new order, which requires testing of dairy cattle moving between states. Another 450 tests showed symptoms in animals.
The USDA said it received a positive response to an offer it made last week to financially compensate producers who take steps to protect their livestock and workers from further spread of the virus. However, there are no forms for farmers to fill out, so no one has registered for the program. “I hope the papers will be ready by the middle of next week,” Deble said.
Dr. Nirav Shah, executive deputy director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the agency was unable to find farm workers willing to participate in a $75 study on how bird flu is transmitted on dairy farms.
“We will not give up hope Constant dialogue with many states. We are getting closer, but so far, there is no finish line,” said Shah.