A recent child suspected of contracting bird flu from raw milk has tested negative, but health officials continue to warn against consuming unpasteurized dairy products. The child recovered from the illness, and no person-to-person transmission was reported.
Health officials have long cautioned against drinking raw milk due to its risk of contamination with bacteria and viruses like bird flu. Past research on animals suggests that consuming contaminated raw milk can lead to severe illnesses like Guillain-Barre syndrome.
California is battling an ongoing bird flu outbreak, with 32 human cases confirmed in the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a total of 60 U.S. cases so far this year, mostly among farm workers exposed to infected livestock. Health officials have secured a voluntary recall of raw milk and cream products from Raw Farm, LLC due to a positive test result for bird flu.
While the exact risk of infection through drinking raw milk is unclear, studies on cats and mice suggest that contaminated dairy can cause illness in animals. As a precaution, health officials urge consumers to avoid raw or unpasteurized dairy products until further guidance is provided.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/california-child-suspected-bird-flu-drinking-raw-milk/story?id=116675407