Drinking raw milk may bring risk of bird flu, OHA warns
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Amid an outbreak of bird flu in dairy cattle in the United States, the Oregon Health Authority is cautioning people against consuming raw, unpasteurized milk, as it may carry its most recent strain, H5N1.
According to the USDA, there are currently 49 dairy cattle H5N1 outbreaks across nine states. Although none have shown up in Oregon, the agency says H5N1 is believed to be more widespread than initial tests suggest.
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Given this information, the FDA also recently tested 297 samples of pasteurized milk sold in stores from 38 states, finding pasteurization successfully killed the virus.
“We know that if H5N1 is present in the milk of infected dairy cattle, it will be killed by pasteurization,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, OHA health officer and state epidemiologist. “Drinking raw milk carries many health risks and those risks may now include H5N1 infection.”
Two of the largest risks included in raw milk consumption include exposure to salmonella and E. coli, according to the CDC.
To help combat the potential spread of the virus, the Oregon Department of Agriculture is offering free testing for H5N1 to dairy farms throughout the state.
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