Michigan Warns Against Raw Milk Amid Avian Flu

By Andi Anderson

Michigan health experts caution residents against drinking raw milk amidst concerns over the highly pathogenic avian influenza affecting dairy herds in the state. The virus can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of unpasteurized milk products, posing serious health risks.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive, highlights the vulnerability of certain groups, such as children under 5, adults over 65, and individuals with weakened immune systems, to illnesses from raw milk consumption. With the avian influenza now impacting both cows and birds, ensuring the safety of food consumption, including pasteurized milk products, is crucial.

Pasteurized milk undergoes a heat treatment process that eliminates disease-causing germs like Campylobacter, E. coli, and Salmonella. Products made from pasteurized milk, commonly found in stores and school lunches, offer protection against such illnesses.

Health experts emphasize that even milk from previously consumed farms may not be safe due to potential contamination over time. Pasteurization effectively deactivates bacteria and viruses, including the avian influenza virus, ensuring the safety of milk products.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services underscores the gravity of the situation by highlighting the detection of bird flu in several dairy herds across the state. To prevent its spread, residents are advised to take precautionary measures, including:

• Preventing contact between domestic and wild birds by confining them indoors or securing outdoor areas.
• Practicing proper hand hygiene before and after handling birds, as well as when moving between different coops.
• Disinfecting boots and other equipment when moving between coops and avoiding sharing equipment between farms.
• Ensuring the use of clean drinking water for birds and securing poultry feed to prevent contact with wild birds or rodents.

By adhering to these guidelines and opting for pasteurized milk products, residents can safeguard their health and contribute to efforts to combat the spread of avian influenza in Michigan.

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