Bird flu contamination halts raw milk sale by Fresno-based dairy Raw Farm

Frightened {that a} drink of contaminated uncooked milk may trigger the H5N1 hen flu virus to leap to individuals, state well being officers have ordered that all raw milk and cream from a Fresno-based dairy farm be pulled from store shelves.

Customers ought to return any bought milk to the shop the place it was purchased, they add.

“Californians are strongly inspired to not devour any uncooked milk or cream merchandise of their possession or nonetheless on retailer cabinets,” the California Division of Public Well being mentioned in an announcement launched Monday evening. Milk that’s pasteurized, which kills the virus and different pathogens, stays protected to drink.

Milk merchandise from Raw Farm, the state’s main uncooked milk producer, examined constructive for hen flu at each retail and dairy storage and bottling websites in latest days, officers mentioned.

This can be a broader recall than what was introduced final week, following the invention of contaminated Uncooked Farm product at Santa Clara County retail shops from two particular heaps of milk. The Santa Clara County Division of Public Well being mentioned it was unable to authorize the discharge of the names of the shops.

Because the illness investigation continues, Uncooked Farm is cooperating absolutely with CDPH and the California Division of Meals and Agriculture.

However Uncooked Meals CEO Mark McAfee — who mentioned he has been requested to use for a U.S. Meals and Drug Administration advisory place within the incoming Trump administration — referred to as the recall and quarantine “a political problem. There aren’t any meals questions of safety with our merchandise,” he wrote on the company’s website.

“We’re working in the direction of resolving this political problem whereas being cooperative with our authorities regulatory businesses,” he wrote. “Our household enterprise has confronted many political challenges earlier than and we’re resilient.”

Nobody has been sickened by avian flu after ingesting uncooked milk merchandise from this dairy.

Nevertheless it’s recognized that publicity to contaminated uncooked milk could cause sickness. Because the virus has swept by way of the state’s dairy business, infecting 493 of the state’s 1,100 operators, an estimated 30 California dairy farm staff have grow to be sick.

“Consuming or unintentionally inhaling uncooked milk containing hen flu virus might result in sickness,” in response to CDPH. “As well as, touching your eyes, nostril or mouth with unwashed fingers after touching uncooked milk with hen flu virus might also result in an infection.”

Analysis printed within the New England Journal of Drugs exhibits that the virus can stay infectious in raw milk for at least several weeks when saved refrigerated at 39 levels Fahrenheit.

Cats consuming infected raw milk from the farms “bulk tanks” have grow to be contaminated and died, in response to a report by the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. Subsequent autopsies have revealed extreme systemic virus an infection in these animals, affecting organs such because the mind and eyes, in response to Michael Payne of the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security at UC Davis.

The virus spreads by way of aerosol particles and contaminated milking gear. Whereas most affected animals get well with supportive therapy, an estimated 10% to fifteen% of cows die, according to Western United Dairies CEO Anja Raudabaugh. Many by no means return to their prior productiveness.

At the moment, the virus solely targets the cells of animals. Nevertheless it’s only a mutation or two away from having the ability to goal the cells of individuals, virologists say. Because it spreads, there’s a better probability {that a} mutation will emerge.

The virus appears to focus on the cells of a cow’s udder. This may occasionally clarify why youthful cows and beef cattle have been unaffected.

Following the CDPH investigation, Uncooked Farm is quarantined for greater than two months, which means that it isn’t allowed to maneuver any cattle off the property or promote any model of its uncooked milk merchandise.

McAfee is allowed to promote milk from his 1,800-cow dairy to a processor who will pasteurize it and use it in several merchandise, together with milk or cheese.

In line with CDFA guidelines, if there aren’t any extra sick cows inside 60 days, it’s going to start testing the milk once more. Earlier than its milk could be launched, the dairy should take a look at detrimental in three exams, with seven days between exams.

Uncooked milk is taken into account so unsafe that the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration prohibits interstate gross sales.

However particular person states nonetheless management uncooked milk gross sales inside their borders — and California is one of 12 states that allow its purchase in retail stores.

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