The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has begun testing more dairy products for the presence of the avian flu virus, as outbreaks spread in dairy herds across the country.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 120 dairy herds in 12 states have tested positive for avian flu since March. Federal authorities have warned that the spread of the virus among dairy cows could increase the risk of human infection.
The goal of the additional testing is to ensure that pasteurization inactivates the virus, Don Prater, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said at a news conference.
Previous FDA testing of 297 retail samples of dairy products came back negative for the virus.
The agency continues to strongly discourage consumption of raw milk products, Prater said.
More than 690 people who were exposed to infected or suspected infected animals have been monitored for flu symptoms, and 51 people who developed flu-like symptoms have been tested, Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at the news conference.
Three dairy farm workers tested positive for the virus with mild respiratory or conjunctivitis symptoms, and all have recovered.
According to federal authorities, the risk of bird flu for the general public remains low, but it is higher for workers on dairy farms, who must wear personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of infection.
