On May 1, the FDA confirmed that no live virus was detected in the samples tested and that pasteurization appeared sufficient to inactivate the virus. The milk on the shelves therefore remains safe for human consumption. However, the FDA recommends not consuming raw milk.
Examination of cows imported into Canada
It must be remembered that this virus is carried by migratory birds. This means that cows in other countries could also be infected, explained Wenquing Zhang, head of the World Health Organization’s global influenza program, in an article published May 1 on the Organization’s website. United Nations.
For the moment, there is no indication that Canadian cows have been infected with the H5N1 virus, Nitish Boodhoo, of the University of Guelph, in Ontario, pointed out on April 29.
Furthermore, in an article from The Pressjournalist Mathieu Perreault reported on April 27 that Canadian authorities are not currently considering testing pasteurized milk, since no Canadian cow has tested positive for the H5N1 virus.
In a press release published on May 3, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), however, changed this position and announced that it would expand screening in cattle and require that lactating cows imported from the United States obtain a result. negative for the avian flu virus test.
