News Excerpt:
In the current outbreak of cattle affecting 49 herds across nine U.S. states, The CDC in Atlanta has advised against consuming uncooked dairy products, such as raw, unpasteurized milk or raw cheeses, from animals suspected or confirmed to be infected with the H5N1 bird flu virus.
What is H5N1 ?
- H5N1 is one of several influenza viruses that causes a highly infectious respiratory disease in birds called avian influenza (or "bird flu"). Infections in mammals, including humans, have also been documented.
- So far, close to 900 human infections have been reported since 2003, of which more than half were fatal. The H5N1 virus is constantly evolving and could potentially become easily transmissible from person to person.
How does the virus spread?
- Most H5N1 infections in humans have been linked to close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments, such as live bird markets. There have also been instances of transmission from infected mammals to humans. Currently, human infections of H5N1 are limited and vaccines are not recommended.
What are the symptoms ?
- The symptoms of H5N1 infection may include fever (often high fever, > 38°C) and malaise, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. Other early symptoms may include conjunctivitis and other non-respiratory symptoms.
- The infection may progress quickly to severe respiratory illness and neurologic changes (altered mental status or seizures).
How is H5N1 virus infection in humans treated?
- Influenza patients should be managed properly to prevent severe illness and death. Patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infection with progressive, complicated or severe illness – or those with asymptomatic or mild disease but who are at increased risk of severe disease – should be treated with antiviral medicines, for example oseltamivir, as soon as possible.
WHO’s recommendations on consumption of Raw Milk:
Is it safe to drink milk and other dairy products from areas where animals are infected with H5N1 viruses?
- WHO mentions that H5N1 viruses have been detected in raw milk from infected dairy cows in some places. Based on available studies, pasteurisation appears to inactivate the virus and make it safe for consumption.
- WHO recommends that consumers avoid consuming raw milk to reduce exposure to a number of pathogens, including but not limited to H5N1 viruses. WHO strongly advises that people consume pasteurised milk. If pasteurised milk isn’t available, heating raw milk until it boils can also make it safer for consumption.
- Dairy products, like cheese, made from safe milk, following strict hygiene standards, should be safe to consume.
