California Governor Newsom has strengthened the state response to bird flu. That virus has sickened animals and some people in sixteen states across the country. The governor said in a statement, "This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak. Building on California’s testing and monitoring system — the largest in the nation — we are committed to further protecting public health, supporting our agriculture industry, and ensuring that Californians have access to accurate, up-to-date information. While the risk to the public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus." Bird flu has affected poultry farms, backyard flocks, and … [Read more...]
Two Cats Die of Bird Flu After Drinking Raw Farm Raw Milk
Two cats have died of possible bird flu infections after drinking Raw Farm raw milk that has been recalled. That farm is located in California, according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department. The indoor cats consumed the raw milk before they got sick. Symptoms included lack of appetite, fever, and neurological signs. The cats died, and testing was positive for influenza A, a rare result in cats. The nationwide Influenza A-H5N1 bird flu outbreak has seen other cats infected with the virus after consuming infected raw milk. People who had direct contact with the cats have been offered antiviral prophylaxis. There have been no human cases of bird flu associated with exposure to these cats. The investigation is ongoing. Although human cases of bird flu are rare, … [Read more...]
Valley Milk Simply Bottled Raw Milk Recalled in CA For Bird Flu
Valley Milk Simply Bottled raw milk is being recalled in California for possible bird flu contamination. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this product. The dairy is located in Stanislaus county. After a positive test in the raw milk, the California Department of Food and Agriculture put the milk under a quarantine order and issued the recall. The bird flu strain is Influenza-A H5N1. The recalled product is all Valley Milk Simply Bottled raw cow milk and DESI Milk raw cow milk. The milk was distributed in quart (32 ounce), half gallon (64 ounce), and one gallon (128 ounce) plastic jugs. The code date numbers stamped on the container are DEC 23 2024 through DEC 30 2024. If you purchased this milk you are strongly urged not to consume … [Read more...]
Raw Farm Raw Milk and Cream Recall For Bird Flu Expanded
The Raw Farm raw milk and cream recall for possible bird flu contamination has been expanded, according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department. There have been "multiple detections of H5 bird flu virus" in the company's milk and dairy cows over the past week. This is the second expansion of the original recall. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of these products. The original recall was issued on November 25, 2024. And a second lot of raw milk was recalled on November 29, 2024. All sizes of raw whole milk and cream products that were produced after November 9, 2024 are included in this recall. Public health officials identified the bird flu virus in retail products from Raw Farm, LLC last week. Additional testing by the … [Read more...]
Second Lot of Raw Farm Raw Milk Recalled For Bird Flu
A second lot of Raw Farm raw milk is being recalled for possible bird flu contamination, according to the California Department wow Public Health (CDPH). The first recall was issued on November 25, 2024. The recall is for cream top, whole raw milk from that farm, which is located in Fresno County. The company has issued the voluntary recall at the state's request. The recalled milk has the lot code 20241119 and a best by date of 12/07/2024. If you purchased this milk, you should immediately return any remaining product to the store where you bought it. Pasteurized milk remains safe to drink. The ongoing spread of bird flu has been occurring in dairy cows, poultry, cats, and sporadic human cases. The California Department of Food and Agriculture was onsite at Raw Farm's milk … [Read more...]
Raw Farm Raw Milk Recalled For Bird Flu Contamination
Raw Farm Raw Milk is being recalled for bird flu contamination in California, according to the California Department of Public Health. Raw Farm LLC is located in Fresco County. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the consumption of this product. Since Early October 2024, California has reported 29 confirmed human cases of bird flu. Twenty of those patients had direct contact with infected dairy cows. No person to person spread of bird flu has been detected in California. All cases have been mild and no one has been hospitalized. Because this virus, like all viruses, mutates, it may gain the ability to spread between people. Preventive measures are being taken and public health officials are monitoring animal and human illnesses. The County of Santa Clara Public … [Read more...]
Ground Beef Tests Negative For Avian Influenza, Says USDA
Ground beef tests negative for Avian Influenza, the USDA said on May 1, 2024. With the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) affecting not only birds, but cattle in recent weeks, there had been some concern that the virus would be found in ground beef. The virus has been found intact in raw milk, but only fragments of the pathogen have been discovered in pasteurized milk. The USDA collected samples of ground beef from retail stores in states where dairy cattle herds had tested positive for the virus at the time of sample collection. The samples were sent to APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratory for PCR testing. All samples had tested negative for H5N1, which reaffirms that the meat supply is safe. Of course, avoiding raw milk and cooking all ground beef … [Read more...]
FDA Updates Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak
The FDA has updated information about the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak (HPAI), which has spread to dairy cows. The virus can be transmitted by wild birds of domestic poultry and other animal species. Sporadic human infections have also occurs. The "highly pathogenic" definition revers to the effect on birds, not necessarily in people. The infection in cows is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms in cattle. Based on information that is currently available, the commercial milk supply is still safe, according to the FDA, because of the pasteurization process and the diversion of destruction of milk from sick cows. WebMD has stated that particles of the bird flu virus have been detected in pasteurized milk, but particles of the pathogen will not … [Read more...]
Health Advisory Issued For Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
A health advisory has been issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus, otherwise known as bird flu. One person has been infected. The person got sick after exposure to allegedly infected dairy cattle. The virus has been found in U.S. dairy cattle in multiple states. The farm worker was an employee at a commercial dairy farm in Texas. The patient reported conjunctivitis with no other symptoms, was not hospitalized and is recovering. The patient isolated and received antiviral treatment, while family members received oseltamivir for post-exposure prophylaxis according to CDC recommendations. The patient specimen was compared to the viral sequences from cattle, and lacks changes that would make it better … [Read more...]
To Avoid Bird Flu, Stay Away From Dead Birds and Wild Animals
To avoid bird flu, stay away from dead birds and wild animals, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. An outbreak of avian influenza is killing birds on Rat Island in Washington state, which is a wildlife preserve, and nearby shores. That island has been closed because of this outbreak. While it is rare for people to contract this infection, it can happen. People are more likely to get sick after close or lengthy contact with infected animals or by touching contaminated surfaces. Dogs and other animals can also get sick from the bird flu. Bird flu is a Type A flu virus that occurs naturally in wild aquatic birds. Since January 2022, a strain of H5N1 avian influenza has been sickening and killing birds around the world. No treatment is available for wild species. … [Read more...]
