The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has raised a significant concern after discovering the bird flu virus in a retail sample of raw milk from Raw Farm, LLC, located in Fresno County. This alarming finding prompted the company to initiate a voluntary recall for any products with the lot code 20241109 and a Best By date of 11/27/2024. Although no illnesses have been reported related to this contaminated batch, the CDPH is taking proactive measures to ensure public safety. Consumers are urged to return any remaining product to where they purchased it immediately. Retailers have also been instructed to remove the affected raw milk from their shelves.
The County of Santa Clara Public Health Laboratory acted swiftly as a second line of defense, detecting the bird flu virus in a sample bought from a local retailer. This initial finding was later confirmed by the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, highlighting the importance of rigorous testing and monitoring in our food supply chain.
Public health experts have long cautioned against consuming raw milk or raw milk products due to their heightened risk of foodborne illnesses. Outbreaks linked to bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, Brucella, and Campylobacter have all been associated with raw dairy consumption. Unlike pasteurized products—which undergo a heating process that kills harmful bacteria and viruses—raw milk remains unprocessed and carries these risks. The CDPH emphasizes that drinking or inhaling raw milk containing the bird flu virus can lead to serious illness.
Symptoms of bird flu infection may include eye redness or discharge, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, trouble breathing, and fever. Anyone who has consumed this specific product and experiences these symptoms should seek medical attention right away.
In light of this incident and as part of its ongoing response to bird flu concerns within California’s dairy herds, testing protocols for raw milk have been intensified. Following the detection of bird flu in local herds earlier this year, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) began conducting weekly tests on bulk tanks at dairies across the state. After confirming the presence of bird flu in retail products from Raw Farm LLC’s locations—which tested negative—the CDFA will now increase testing frequency to twice per week.
It’s crucial for consumers to understand that pasteurized milk is safe for consumption. Pasteurization is one of humanity’s most important food safety advancements; it involves heating milk at specific temperatures for set periods to eliminate harmful microorganisms that can spoil food or cause illness. This process effectively destroys pathogens like the bird flu virus found in raw milk.
This recent development follows an alarming report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which confirmed an unprecedented case of avian influenza A(H5N1)—commonly referred to as H5N1 bird flu—in a child residing in California. Fortunately, this young patient experienced only mild symptoms and is recovering well after receiving antiviral treatment for influenza.
Initial tests showed low levels of H5N1 but subsequent examinations indicated no traces remained; however, follow-up tests did reveal positive results for other common respiratory viruses suggesting a mixed infection scenario according to CDC reports.
For further information on this topic or updates regarding public health advisories related to avian influenza A(H5N1), you can refer directly back through various resources including official press releases from health departments or news articles covering these developments closely.
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Source: Steadfast Nation
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