Drinking raw milk at any time poses a risk of dangerous germs, but with an unprecedented outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in US dairy cows, the dangers have escalated significantly. Health experts are issuing strong warnings against consuming raw milk during this outbreak, the extent of which is still uncertain.
Despite the heightened risk, raw milk enthusiasts are unfazed. The Raw Milk Institute in California has dismissed the warnings as fearmongering. The institute’s founder, Mark McAfee, claimed that his customers are specifically requesting raw milk from H5N1-infected cows in the belief that it will provide immunity to the virus, although there is no evidence to support this.
Experts have criticized this behavior as reckless, equating it to playing Russian roulette with one’s health. The outbreak has raised concerns as cattle were previously believed to be resistant to H5N1 until recent cases were confirmed across multiple states. The virus primarily targets the cows’ mammary glands, where it can multiply and potentially spread to other animals.
Research has shown that raw milk from infected cows can contain high levels of H5N1 viral particles, posing a risk of transmission to other mammals. In one case, farm cats that drank milk from infected cows suffered severe illness, with some experiencing neurological symptoms and death.
While raw milk enthusiasts claim that the human digestive system can destroy the virus, there is no documented evidence of humans becoming infected with H5N1 from tainted milk. However, this current outbreak presents the first known opportunity for milkborne transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza to occur.
In conclusion, consuming raw milk from H5N1-infected cows poses a serious health risk and experts advise against it. The outbreak highlights the importance of following proper food safety measures to protect against potential transmission of harmful pathogens.
