Latest news with #H5N1
The Hill
20 hours ago
- Health
- The Hill
Unpasteurized vs. pasteurized: What to know about food safety
A long-practiced food processing method has been up for debate in recent years, with some opting to drink and eat without sterilizing it first. The polarizing process is pasteurization — a heating process that kills the microbes behind common foodborne illnesses. Prominent pushes for 'raw milk' consumption are growing, whether it's Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or Gwyneth Paltrow. While still on the 2024 campaign trail for his failed presidential bid, Kennedy said he only drinks unpasteurized milk. In April, he suspended a quality control program for testing the nation's dairy supply. All the while, experts and researchers are advocating for Americans to only consume pasteurized milk. Pasteurized vs unpasteurized: What's the difference? Pasteurization is the process of heating a food product for a certain amount of time to destroy bacteria and viruses present, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dairy products, eggs, juices, canned food, flour, honey and alcohol, among others, are typically pasteurized. Unpasteurized products don't undergo the heating and germ-killing process. They can include milk, artisanal cheese, juice, meat and more. Benefits, drawbacks of pasteurization By getting rid of harmful microbes, pasteurization can prevent foodborne illnesses like listeriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, Q fever, and brucellosis, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Pasteurization can also change the nutritional value, flavor and appearance of food, though only minimally, per the National Library of Medicine. 'Pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits without the risks of raw milk consumption. Since the early 1900s, pasteurization has greatly reduced milk-borne illnesses,' the CDC says. Are unpasteurized foods safe? What are the risks? Some believe that so-called 'raw milk' and other unpasteurized products are a healthier option, since they are straight from nature. Some champion positive health returns from drinking unpasteurized milk, including raw milk farmer Cliff McConville: 'I can tell you that I used to get sick like three times a year, like, you know, with colds or flu, and I almost never get sick anymore.' But most medical bodies and independent experts say the benefits of unpasteurized food don't outweigh the potential health problems. The CDC and the FDA have warned that raw milk is unsafe because bacteria in it can cause illness or even death. The bird flu virus can remain infectious in raw milk for over a day at room temperature and more than a week when refrigerated, according to a non-peer-reviewed study from a group of UK scientists. The study, published in medRxiv, examined the stability of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in raw cow and sheep milk, with researchers simulating storage conditions common in dairy settings. 'High viral titres were detected in milk from infected cows, raising concerns about onwards human infections,' the authors wrote.
Sustainability Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Sustainability Times
'They Drank Infected Milk and Spread Chaos': Scientists Trace Bird Flu Outbreak in US Cows to Rampaging, Virus-Carrying Calves
IN A NUTSHELL 🦠 A recent study reveals that calves can transmit the H5N1 bird flu virus to dairy cows through nursing, affecting mammary glands. can transmit the to dairy cows through nursing, affecting mammary glands. 📈 The virus has impacted over 1,070 dairy farms across 17 U.S. states, causing a mortality rate of up to 10% among infected cattle. across 17 U.S. states, causing a mortality rate of up to 10% among infected cattle. 💡 Researchers hypothesize that 'mouth-to-teat' transmission is a key route for infection, facilitated by self-nursing and mutual-nursing behaviors. transmission is a key route for infection, facilitated by self-nursing and mutual-nursing behaviors. 💉 Two vaccines, an H5 inactivated vaccine and a hemagglutinin-based DNA vaccine, have shown promising results in protecting cattle from the H5N1 infection. The H5N1 bird flu poses an urgent threat to both animal and human health, as revealed by a recent study. This highly contagious virus, typically known for affecting respiratory systems, has baffled scientists by invading the mammary glands of dairy cows. Conducted under the guidance of Professor Hualan Chen from the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, this research uncovers the pathway through which the virus spreads among cattle. With devastating impacts already observed in the United States, this revelation is crucial for developing strategies to control and prevent future outbreaks. The study also holds global significance for the dairy industry, emphasizing the need for immediate action. Study on Cattle in China The H5N1 bird flu has been a concern for global health since its impact on poultry and wild birds intensified in 2021. However, the situation took a dramatic turn in March 2024 when dairy cattle in the United States became the new victims. By June 2025, the virus had affected over 1,070 dairy farms across 17 states, resulting in a mortality rate of up to 10% among infected cattle. The human impact is also worrisome, with 41 dairy farm workers contracting the virus. This crisis not only threatens the dairy industry but also public health, as the virus damages mammary glands and contaminates milk. Remarkably, genes of the H5N1 virus were found in 25% of U.S. retail milk samples. The pressing question is how a respiratory pathogen infiltrates the mammary glands of dairy cows. The research involved 50 cattle housed in a high-security facility, meticulously examining the virus's replication and spread through various inoculation methods. Discover the Top Nutrient-Rich Foods that Can Assist in Your Weight Loss Journey Potential Vaccines The study revealed that the virus only replicated in the mouth and respiratory tract when it entered through the nose. When directly introduced into the mammary gland, the virus was contained, indicating that the natural infection route is through the teat. This led to the hypothesis that 'mouth-to-teat' transmission could be the pathway for infection. Some lactating cows, known for 'stealing milk' through self-nursing or mutual-nursing, might facilitate this transmission. Bovine oral tissues, rich in sialic acid receptors, are particularly susceptible to viral infection from contaminated feed and water, allowing the virus to efficiently replicate and spread. The researchers confirmed that calves with H5N1 in their mouths could transmit the virus to the mammary glands of the cows they nursed. The mystery was unraveled, paving the way for potential solutions. Could vaccination, successful for avian influenza in poultry, protect cattle as well? Tests of two vaccines in lactating cattle showed promising results. Both an H5 inactivated vaccine and a hemagglutinin-based DNA vaccine offered complete protection against H5N1, even under high-dose viral challenges. 'Your Breath Is a Signature': Scientists Reveal Human Breath Is as Unique and Traceable as a Fingerprint Strategies for Disease Management The successful demonstration of vaccine efficacy provides a critical strategy for protecting dairy herds and safeguarding public health. The study suggests that implementing vaccination programs could be a viable solution for controlling H5N1 outbreaks in cattle. This approach not only shields cattle from infection but also helps maintain the integrity of the milk supply chain. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of monitoring and managing cattle interactions, particularly focusing on calves and their nursing behaviors. By understanding the specific transmission routes, farmers and veterinarians can implement targeted measures to disrupt the spread of the virus. The study also highlights the need for global collaboration, as the lessons learned could inform strategies in other countries facing similar threats. « This brewing habit could silently hurt you »: these common coffee preparation methods directly linked to increased heart disease risk Implications for Global Health The findings of this study, published in the journal National Science Review, have significant implications for global health and the dairy industry. As H5N1 continues to spread, it is imperative to adopt comprehensive strategies that incorporate vaccination, surveillance, and biosecurity measures. The research conducted by Professor Chen and her team offers a roadmap for managing the disease not only in the United States but also in other countries at risk. By addressing the root causes and transmission pathways, the dairy industry can mitigate the impact of future outbreaks. The study serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of animal and human health, urging stakeholders to prioritize proactive measures. As we navigate the complexities of H5N1 and its impact on cattle, the need for further research and collaboration becomes evident. How can the global community come together to effectively combat this threat, and what additional measures can be implemented to ensure the safety of both animals and humans? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (21)
Reuters
2 days ago
- Health
- Reuters
Spain reports bird flu outbreak on turkey farm
PARIS, July 18 (Reuters) - Spain has reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on a fattening turkey farm in the southwestern region of Extremadura, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said, citing Spanish authorities. The spread of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has ravaged flocks around the world, disrupting supply and fuelling higher food prices. Its spread to mammals, including dairy cows in the United States, has raised concerns among governments about a risk of human transmission. The outbreak killed almost the entire flock of 6,895 turkeys, with the 10 surviving birds slaughtered as a precaution, the report said.
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Immigration crackdown could stymie efforts to fight bird flu outbreak, experts fear
As authorities brace for a potential resurgence in bird flu cases this fall, infectious disease specialists warn that the Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants could hamper efforts to stop the spread of disease. Dairy and poultry workers have been disproportionately infected with the H5N1 bird flu since it was first detected in U.S. dairy cows in March 2024, accounting for 65 of the 70 confirmed infections, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As is the case throughout agriculture, immigrants make up a significant proportion of this workforce and both industry groups and academics say many of these workers probably entered the U.S. illegally. That could spell trouble for a future outbreak of bird flu, infectious disease experts say, making workers reluctant to cooperate with health investigators. 'Most dairy and poultry workers, regardless of their immigration status, are in no way going to be like, 'hey, government, yeah, of course, check me out, I think I might have H5N1,'' said Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the University of Saskatchewan's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization in Canada. 'No, they're going to keep their heads down and be as quiet as possible so that they don't end up at' an immigration detention center, such as Alligator Alcatraz, she said. Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture didn't respond to requests for comment. Neither did the California Department of Public Health, which has been on the front line of worker testing and safety — offering $25 gift cards to workers who agree to be tested and providing personal protective equipment to farmers and workers. 'To imply that the Trump Administration's lawful approach to immigration enforcement is somehow suppressing disease reporting is a leap unsupported by evidence and dismissive of the real work being done by the agency,' a spokesperson for the Health and Human Services Administration said in a statement. Public health officials say the risk of H5N1 infection to the general public is low. People who work with livestock and wild animals are considered to be at elevated risk. The Trump administration paused immigration arrests at farms, hospitals and restaurants last month, but later reversed course. This month, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said that there are plenty of able-bodied Americans to perform farm labor and that there would be 'no amnesty' for undocumented farmworkers. Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, said that there are two big risks with the administration's crackdown. Dairy and poultry workers are on the front line of the virus, handling both diseased and infected animals. If they are too afraid to report symptoms or get tested, 'it increases the risk that someone could die because the medicines need to be given early after onset of symptoms,' she said. Nuzzo said the crackdown also decreases the likelihood that a pandemic could be detected in its early stages. 'The virus needs to change and become easily transmissible between people to cause a pandemic and we need to know about as many infections as possible to track the virus and prevent it from gaining those abilities,' Nuzzo said. '[If] people don't come forward, we can't do that.' In the spring, eight undocumented workers at a Vermont dairy were arrested; four were ultimately deported. The raids sent shock waves through the small, tight-knit dairy industry of New England and sent a message to dairies elsewhere that no place is safe. Anja Raudabaugh, chief executive of Western United Dairies, California's largest dairy trade association, said dairy farmers aren't worried about bird flu, adding that measures are in place to protect workers and to prevent a rapid spread of disease. From a public health perspective, she said, the state is better positioned than it was last year. 'One of the biggest changes in the ground response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is that the occupational health clinics, ERs, and other rural clinics now have access to the testing equipment necessary to detect the virus (where they didn't last year),' she said in an email. In addition, the state's health department has provided the anti-viral medication, Tamiflu, to health clinics 'so the workers feel reinforced that their families can be protected.' The dairy trade group also has no objections to the immigration crackdown. 'America wants this problem solved and dairy farmers are ready to be part of the solution,' Raudabaugh said. 'We do not fear ICE. These are good, full-time jobs and we hire anyone who loves cows and wants to work in a quiet, blue-collar family environment.' Dairy farmer Joey Airoso said the effect on both his workers and cows was minimal when his Pixley dairy was hit by the virus last year. His bigger concern is 'the wide open border that's let a lot of people into are country that are here for the wrong reasons,' said Airoso, who owns about 2,600 head of cattle. But Raw Farms dairy owner Mark McAfee said he and his neighboring farmers in Fresno County are 'freaked out' by the ICE raids and 'want no part of it.' McAfee's dairy, which produces raw milk, was shut down by the virus for several months last year. He's worried not only about the virus returning, but also about immigration agents seizing his workers, many of whom are foreign born. 'Everybody we have is legal, but they (ICE) don't give a damn about that — they're picking them up, too,' he said. 'Legal status doesn't mean a lot, and that's really scary, because that's something we all relied upon for previous 25 years of operation.' One question is whether the state will face another big outbreak of bird flu. There have been only sporadic infections this summer. Detections of the virus in wastewater is low, and in the last 30 days, only two dairy herds — one each in California and Arizona — and one commercial poultry flock in Pennsylvania have reported outbreaks. But most experts agree that's likely to change as migrating birds congregate in fields and around lakes as they journey south later this year — passing virus between one another and infecting young birds with no immunity. 'We have 60,000 waterfowl in California right now,' said Maurice Pitesky, a poultry expert at UC Davis. 'By late fall, early winter, that number will jump to 6 million.' Waterfowl — ducks and geese — are considered the primary carriers of the virus. Since the virus reappeared in North America at the end of 2022, new variants and widespread outbreaks have followed the migrating birds — infecting poultry farms, resident wild birds, wild mammals, such as racoons, mountain lions and skunks, as well as marine and domestic mammals. In late 2023, the virus made a jump into dairy cattle. And in the fall of 2024, a new variant — the D1.1 version of the virus — sparked a new outbreak in dairy cows, poultry and other animals. Andrew Ramey, director of the Molecular Ecology Lab at the U.S. Geological Survey's Alaska Science Center, which monitors for H5N1 in wild bird populations, said one possibility is that the bird flu could return in a more virulent state. 'I think we're all kind of bracing to see what might happen this fall,' he said.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Precautionary measures in K'pada after 1,500 birds die
Kendrapada: Authorities in Kendrapada district have implemented several precautionary measures following the mysterious death of nearly 1,500 chickens in Derabish block in the past three days. The deaths, which took place between Tuesday and Thursday at poultry farms in Golarahat, Dumuka and neighbouring villages under Derabish block, come just days after bird flu was detected in Puri district. "We have sounded a general alert in the area and implemented containment measures, including the proper burial of the carcasses," Dr Manoj Patnaik, the chief district veterinary officer of Kendrapada, said. A 2km radius around the affected areas has been placed under surveillance and officials are monitoring for signs of sick poultry. Samples of blood, stool and other specimens of birds which were close vicinity of the dead chickens have been sent to the Animal Disease Research Institute in Cuttack for testing. The district administration, on the other hand, has formed nine rapid response teams across all blocks. Each team comprises 27 veterinary assistant surgeons, livestock inspectors, zilla parishad members and social workers. Locals have been instructed to avoid handling dead poultry without protective gear. "There is no need to panic as we haven't detected the H5N1 virus in the area yet," Dr Patnaik assured, adding, "We have already vaccinated large numbers of poultry birds against Ranikhet disease and bird flu."
