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Like H5N1 bird flu Virus transmitted by dairy cattle, the US Food and Drug Administration has asked states to take additional measures to protect the public from the risk of raw milk.
In an open letter posted on the agency's website on Thursday, it urged the public to be more aware of the dangers of raw milk and to inspect herds producing it for sale.
The FDA also advised states to use their regulatory authorities to stop the sale of raw milk within the state or in areas where dairy herds have tested positive.
On Thursday, Minnesota became the 10th state. To report infected herds. According to the US Department of Agriculture, 82 herds in the US have been infected with HIV.
The FDA does not allow the sale of raw milk across state lines, but several states allow the sale of raw milk for human consumption within their borders, with different requirements. Some states allow raw milk to be sold as a pet product labeled “not for human consumption,” recognizing that what people milk in their own homes is theirs.
Raw milk can carry high levels of the H5N1 bird flu virus because the virus appears to infect cows on their teats. It is not yet known whether people can contract bird flu by drinking contaminated milk. However, infected cows died after eating unpasteurized milk and three dairy products from cats living on the farm. Workers exposed to raw milk are infected.
“Given the current and future threat of the HPAI H5N1 virus to our nation's public health, as well as to the health of our nation's food-producing animals and wildlife, it is imperative that we work together to reduce further exposure to humans and other animals.” species,” wrote Dr. Don Prater, acting director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, who is leading the agency's H5N1 response.
Beyond bird flu, the FDA talks about the health risks of raw milk These include disease, miscarriage, stillbirth, kidney failure and death.
In addition to strong warnings about consuming raw milk, the FDA has asked states to monitor dairy herds for signs of infection with the H5N1 bird flu virus and for farms to safely dispose of milk from sick cows.
The FDA said any raw milk or raw milk products from exposed cattle must be heat-treated or pasteurized for calves or any other animals.
So is the FDA. Calling regions To implement surveillance testing for the presence of H5N1 virus in dairy herds and to report results to state and federal regulatory agencies by producing raw milk.
The agency announced that it will soon share new research and information about both the bird flu virus in raw milk and raw milk products.