Official announcements from the California Department of Public Health

H5N1 Bird Flu Virus in Raw Milk from Fresno County's Raw Farm, LLC Prompts Recall

Nov 24, 2024, 11:55 PM

The H5N1 bird flu virus has been detected in raw milk sold in California, prompting a recall by Raw Farm, LLC of Fresno County. The affected products, including quart and half-gallon sized milk with an expiration date of November 27, were sold at various Bay Area grocery stores. California agriculture officials confirmed the presence of the virus in the raw milk produced by the Fresno County facility. The California Department of Public Health has issued a warning against consuming raw milk from this batch, while emphasizing that pasteurized milk remains safe to drink. The detection of the virus in raw milk raises concerns about the potential for cross-species transmission and the virus's evolution. This comes amidst reports of seven million birds being culled in British Columbia's Fraser Valley due to avian flu, and a Montana poultry flock being diagnosed with the virus, euthanized. The virus has now spread to nearly 500 herds in 15 states.