NEJM Study Highlights H5N1 Risks in Raw Milk and Milking Equipment Across Nine States

May 24, 2024, 02:13 PM

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that the H5N1 avian flu virus can persist on milking equipment surfaces and in raw, unpasteurized milk, posing significant health risks. Researchers from the CEIRR Network at Pitt and Emory discovered that H5N1 and H1N1 influenza viruses remain infectious on surface materials in milking machines, suggesting potential udder-to-udder transmission or fomites to workers. The study also showed that mice fed unprocessed cow milk containing H5N1 became infected, with high virus levels detected in their respiratory organs and moderate levels in other organs. The findings underscore the dangers of consuming raw milk and highlight the need for stringent pasteurization processes to ensure safety. Additionally, the study revealed that heat inactivation of virus-positive milk samples required higher temperatures or longer incubation times due to the protective effect of fat globules and casein. The H5N1 virus has been identified in the commercial milk supply and dairy herds in nine states.