Officials from California agriculture officials said Sunday that avian influenza, also known as bird flu, was detected in raw milk gathered from Raw Farm LLC Fresno County facility that supplies dozens of stores in the Bay Area.
The virus was detected in a container of cream-top whole raw milk sold by public health workers from an unknown retail food store in Santa Clara County. It is being reported by the California Department of Public Health and was confirmed by the state’s Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory.
No illnesses have been reported so far from the batch, which was current through Sunday. Health officials are investigating how the virus ended up in the milk. Retailers were informed to withdraw the affected products from their shelves.
The detection comes as bird flu cases have started rising nationwide, especially among dairy and poultry workers who come in contact with infected animals. Last week, Alameda County was home to the first pediatric case in the United States, a child with mild respiratory symptoms.
To reduce risks, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, which has been testing raw milk since August every week, will now start testing twice per week at Raw Farm’s retail locations.
According to public health experts, it’s a warning to consumers not to drink raw milk, as its consumption is correlated with a higher risk for foodborne illnesses. Raw milk contains pathogens that may not reside within pasteurized milk such as salmonella, E. coli, and listeria among others.
Bird flu is relatively rare in humans and is unlikely to spread from person to person. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, runny nose, redness in the eyes, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The authorities have requested consumers to shun raw milk products and report any suspicion of cases. The situation is closely monitored in terms of public health risks.
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