Pasteurizing Milk is Effective in Eliminating Avian Influenza Virus

A recent study conducted by scientists from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture shows that the pasteurization process can effectively eliminate the H5N1 avian influenza virus, which has recently spread among American cattle. These findings have renewed credibility to this old technique that has been used for over 150 years to ensure milk safety and emphasize that pasteurization can protect humans from infectious microbes present in milk. Both organizations involved in the study have reiterated that people should not consume raw or unpasteurized dairy products. The results published in the Journal of Virology, a publication of the American Society for Microbiology, indicate that no live virus was found in pasteurized milk products. Additionally, non-infectious genetic material from the virus was observed in 20% of the samples, indicating that the virus has been completely inactivated. Concerns about dairy product safety have increased with reports of avian influenza outbreaks in dairy farms across several U.S. states. In the United States, three cases of avian influenza in humans have been recorded as of June 29, all among farm workers who had direct contact with infected cattle. According to the advisory committee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers stated that the risk of contracting the H5N1 virus among the general public is low. However, the center recommends that individuals who have close and prolonged contact with infected animals take precautions such as wearing face masks, goggles, and disposable clothing. The H5N1 virus, which has been present in bird populations since 1996, has recently been identified in a growing number of mammals including cats, dogs, goats, and seals. The current strain of this virus, which originated from migratory waterfowl in 2020, first emerged among poultry in 2022 and was then identified in cattle this year. Avian influenza viruses have sporadically spread among humans and have had high mortality rates. The current strain does not appear to be easily transmissible from person to person, but as it spreads further, the likelihood of it adapting to humans and causing a wider outbreak increases.