California health officials have issued a warning against drinking a second lot of raw milk due to the bird flu virus. The virus was detected in a sample of cream top, whole raw milk from Raw Farm LLC, prompting a voluntary recall by the company. No cases of illness have been associated with the product. Raw milk is not pasteurized, which can lead to serious health risks, especially for vulnerable populations. In California, there have been 29 cases of bird flu in humans, with most cases linked to direct contact with infected dairy cows. The state is testing raw milk from dairies as part of its response to the outbreak. Raw Farm has stated that while bird flu has affected other herds in California, their cows are healthy and do not show signs of the virus. The California Department of Food and Agriculture has placed a quarantine on the herd until all cows are cleared of infection. The nationwide outbreak of bird flu began in 2022 and was first detected in U.S. dairy cattle in 2024. Cases have been reported in California and Utah. Consumers are advised to return any remaining raw milk products and opt for pasteurized milk to avoid potential health risks associated with the bird flu virus.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com