By Jamie Martin
The University of Georgia (UGA) has teamed up with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to examine U.S. dairy products for signs of avian influenza. This effort is part of a national initiative involving five institutions dedicated to securing dairy during the ongoing Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) outbreak, aiming to mitigate risks to both human and animal health.
UGA's Center for Influenza Disease and Emergence Research, a nationally recognized Center of Excellence, is spearheading this project.
Their work is crucial given the recent detection of the H5N1 virus in U.S. dairy cattle—a first for the country which has raised concerns about the safety of dairy products.
While the virus poses little risk through pasteurized dairy goods, as the heat treatment effectively neutralizes the virus, raw milk and its products present a significant concern. S. Mark Tompkins, director of the UGA center and a professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, highlighted the potential dangers of consuming unpasteurized dairy products.
"We have the potential of people becoming infected through consumption of unpasteurized milk, cheese or other dairy products,” he explained. This risk is compounded by the virus's ability to adapt and potentially spread among humans if given a pathway through raw dairy consumption.
The ongoing study not only aims to safeguard public health but also addresses the broader implications of such infections on public health policy and dairy consumption habits.
As the study progresses, findings will guide future safety regulations and public health recommendations, ensuring that both the dairy industry and consumers can respond effectively to such threats.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-vm
Categories: National