A bird flu outbreak in U.S. dairy cows has grown to have an effect on greater than two dozen herds in eight states, simply weeks after the nation’s largest egg producer discovered the virus in its chickens.

Health officers stress that the chance to the general public is low and that the U.S. meals provide stays safe and steady.

“At this time, there continues to be no concern that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health, or that it affects the safety of the interstate commercial milk supply,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration mentioned in a press release.

Here’s what you want to learn about bird flu and meals:

WHICH STATES HAVE FOUND BIRD FLU IN DAIRY COWS?

As of Friday, the pressure of bird flu that has killed thousands and thousands of untamed birds lately has been present in not less than 26 dairy herds in eight U.S. states: Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and South Dakota.

The virus, referred to as Type A H5N1, has been detected in a vary of mammals over the previous couple of years, however this is the primary time it has been present in cattle, in accordance to federal well being and animal businesses. Genetic evaluation of the virus doesn’t present that it has modified to unfold extra simply in folks, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mentioned.

HOW IS BIRD FLU AFFECTING FOOD PRODUCTION?

Agriculture officers in not less than 17 states have restricted imports of dairy cattle from states the place the virus has been detected, however, up to now, authorities businesses say it’s had little impact on business milk manufacturing. Officials imagine cows doubtless have been contaminated by publicity to wild birds, however mentioned cow-to-cow unfold “cannot be ruled out.”

Farmers are testing cows that present signs of an infection, together with sharply decreased milk provide and lethargy. Animals that present indicators or take a look at constructive for sickness are being separated from different animals on the farms. The animals seem to recuperate inside two weeks.

U.S. egg producers are watching the scenario carefully after bird flu was detected in chickens in Texas and Michigan. Millions of birds have been killed, however the FDA mentioned the chance of affected eggs moving into the retail market or inflicting infections in people is low due to federal inspections and different safeguards.

DOES PASTEURIZATION KILL BIRD FLU?

Scientists say there’s no proof to counsel that individuals can contract the virus by consuming meals that’s been pasteurized, or heat-treated — or correctly cooked.

“It’s not a food safety concern,” mentioned Lee-Ann Jaykus, an emeritus meals microbiologist and virologist at North Carolina State University.

Two folks in U.S. have been contaminated with bird flu to date. A Texas dairy employee who was in shut contact with an contaminated cow not too long ago developed a gentle eye an infection and has recovered. In 2022, a jail inmate in a piece program caught it whereas killing contaminated birds at a Colorado poultry farm. His solely symptom was fatigue, and he recovered.

IS GROCERY STORE MILK SAFE FROM BIRD FLU?

Yes, in accordance to meals security consultants and authorities officers.

U.S. producers are barred from promoting milk from sick cows and should divert and destroy it. In addition, milk offered throughout state traces is required to be pasteurized, or heat-treated utilizing a course of that kills micro organism and viruses, together with influenza.

“We firmly believe that pasteurization provides a safe milk supply,” Tracey Forfa, director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine instructed a webinar viewers this week.

IS RAW MILK SAFE FROM BIRD FLU?

The FDA and the CDC are much less sure about unpasteurized, or uncooked, milk offered in lots of states, saying there’s restricted details about the potential transmission of the H5N1 virus in such merchandise.

So far, no herds linked to uncooked milk suppliers have reported cows contaminated with bird flu, however the businesses suggest that the trade not make or promote uncooked milk or uncooked milk cheese merchandise made with milk from cows that present signs — or are uncovered to contaminated cows.

U.S. well being officers have lengthy warned towards the chance of foodborne sickness tied to uncooked milk, which the CDC mentioned brought about greater than 200 outbreaks that sickened greater than 2,600 folks between 1998 and 2018.

Still, uncooked milk proponents like Mark McAfee, proprietor of Raw Farm USA in Fresno, Calif., mentioned the outbreak of H5N1 in business cows seems to have spurred greater gross sales of the merchandise, regardless of federal warnings.

CAN YOU CATCH BIRD FLU FROM EGGS OR MEAT?

Only dairy cows, not beef cattle, have been contaminated or proven indicators of sickness to date, agriculture officers mentioned.

The largest egg producer within the U.S. briefly halted operations on April 2 after discovering bird flu in its chickens. Cal-Maine Foods culled about 1.6 million laying hens and one other 337,000 pullets, or younger hens, after the detection.

The firm mentioned there was no threat to eggs out there and that no eggs had been recalled.

Eggs which can be dealt with correctly and cooked totally are safe to eat, mentioned Barbara Kowalcyk, director of the Center for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University.

“A lot of people like runny eggs. Personally, if I eat an egg, it’s very well cooked,” she mentioned.

Still, Kowalcyk and others cautioned that the scenario may change.

“This is an emerging issue and clearly this pathogen is evolving and there’s a lot that we don’t know,” she mentioned. “I do think that everybody is trying to figure it out as quickly as possible.”

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives help from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely liable for all content material.