Bird Flu: Understanding the Risks to Supermarket Eggs and Milk

Two poultry farms were forced to destroy their entire flocks in early December in an attempt to curb the spread of “highly pathogenic avian influenza,” also known as bird flu. This resulted in the declaration of an agricultural disaster in Sonoma County, California. When increasing numbers of avian horror stories started to appear in headlines in early 2022, the United States received its first reports of this specific strain of bird flu, known as H5N1. Hundreds of sick birds were discovered dead at a lake in the Chicago suburbs; three bald eagles were infected in Georgia and died; two zoos reported bird flu among their flocks, forcing zoos across the nation to remove their animals off display.

What is bird flu?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a virus that naturally spreads among aquatic wild birds all over the world. Due to confusion with a type of fowl cholera, the disease was originally discovered in Italy in the late 19th century and was initially known as the “fowl plague.” In the 20th and 21st centuries, the phrase “bird flu” became increasingly widely used due to outbreaks of extremely pathogenic variants like H5N1 and H7N9.

Safety of Supermarket Eggs and Milk

Experts say that since retail eggs and milk are pasteurized, all live viruses are efficiently killed, therefore there is little chance of transmission. The FDA informed customers that retail milk samples did not contain any live, infectious viruses, and that pasteurization is an effective means of inactivating avian influenza (HPAI).

The USDA has made testing for all nursing cows a requirement before they can be transferred to another state in order to monitor and comprehend the spread of avian flu. In addition, the FDA keeps evaluating dairy product samples at retail to guarantee the security of the commercial milk supply.

Impact on Poultry Farms

American poultry farms have suffered greatly as a result of recent avian flu outbreaks. In an effort to contain the outbreak, commercial farms have killed tens of millions of turkeys and chickens. Bird flu incidents increased egg prices, which affected customers’ pocketbooks.

The Food and Drug Administration revealed late on Thursday that particles of the H5N1 virus were found in one out of every five commercial milk samples examined in a nationwide assessment. This finding has sparked questions about how pervasive the virus is among dairy farms.

Conclusion

Although recent avian flu outbreaks have sparked worries about the safety of store-bought milk and eggs, experts reassure customers that the process of pasteurization efficiently removes any possibility of transmission. Authorities want to guarantee that dairy products are safe for consumers across the country, so they are putting preventative measures in place and keeping a careful eye on the situation.

FAQs

1. How does bird flu spread to humans?

Bird flu primarily spreads to humans through direct contact with infected birds or surfaces contaminated with bird droppings.

2. Can I get bird flu from eating eggs or drinking milk?

No, the pasteurization process effectively kills any viable virus present in supermarket eggs and milk, making them safe for consumption.

3. Should I avoid all poultry and dairy products?

No, supermarket eggs and milk are safe to consume. However, it’s essential to follow proper cooking and handling procedures for raw poultry products.

4. How effective is pasteurization against bird flu?

Pasteurization is highly effective in inactivating HPAI (avian influenza) and ensures the safety of dairy products for consumers.

5. What can consumers do to stay safe?

Consumers should purchase pasteurized dairy products from reputable sources and follow recommended food safety guidelines when handling and cooking poultry products.