Study Finds Contaminated Unpasteurized Milk Poses Risks Beyond H5N1

A recent study has revealed that unpasteurized milk contaminated with the H5N1 virus, also known as the bird-flu virus, has been causing rapid illness in mice, affecting multiple organs. The study, which was published on Friday, has raised concerns about the safety of consuming raw milk, with implications for both animals and humans.

Impact on Animals

The study found that at least a half-dozen cats have died after consuming raw milk containing the virus. This serves as a stark warning about the dangers posed to animals by the consumption of virus-laden raw milk.

Yoshihiro Kawaoka, a virologist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, who led the study, emphasized the importance of avoiding raw milk consumption, stating, “Don’t drink raw milk — that’s the message.”

Public Safety

While most commercial milk in the United States is pasteurized, the Food and Drug Administration has discovered traces of the virus in 20 percent of dairy products sampled from grocery shelves nationwide. However, officials have reassured the public that pasteurized milk is safe to consume as no signs of infectious virus have been found in those samples.