Although bird flu has also been found in cows and their milk, the consumption of raw milk in the US has increased significantly. This is already having the first negative consequences for health: dozens of people are now suffering from salmonella.
It is misinformation and misunderstandings that are currently causing a worrying trend in the United States. As the spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus among mammals raises concerns about a potential new pandemic, calls to drink raw milk are now increasing, especially on social media.
People hardly know anything about risks
The claims are a misconception: many people mistakenly believe that raw milk contains antibodies against the virus or that the scientifically proven effect of pasteurization makes the virus even more dangerous.
Apparently, people are not aware of the real risks of consuming raw milk. This means that it is repeatedly contaminated with pathogenic germs (i.e. bacteria or viruses), some of which can cause serious illness, including salmonella, E. coli and listeria.
Largest salmonella outbreak in decades
Dozens of people in California had to experience this firsthand. As the AP reports, one of the largest salmonella outbreaks linked to raw milk in the past decade occurred there. A surprising number of such reports had already been recorded, but the figures now being published by health authorities show that the outbreak was much stronger than previously thought.
In February alone, at least 165 people were sickened by salmonella after drinking raw milk from a California farm.
Authorities issue urgent warnings
In view of this, the US health authorities renewed their urgent warning against consuming milk that has not been previously pasteurized. Especially since it is still not possible to estimate what effect the virus found in milk will actually have and how it could possibly spread to humans.
However, this actually only applies to untreated milk; the chance of contamination from pasteurised supermarket milk is zero.
Four people in the US have already contracted the virus
So far, H5N1 has been detected in more than 140 dairy farms in the US. Within a few months, the virus was also detected in four people who had direct contact with dairy cows. However, no major efforts are being made to contain the virus in time.
In view of the spread of H5N1 in the US, Berlin Charité chief virologist Christian Drosten described the bird flu virus as a possible trigger for an upcoming pandemic.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
