Colorado’s raw milk bill was postponed due to disagreements regarding its implementation. Avian Flu was trending at the time, it seems to have waned, but unfortunately it came as a convenient excuse to push off discussions til next year.
Colorado’s raw milk bill postponed
The Colorado Sun points out a disagreement between bill authors regarding what temperature raw milk must be kept and penalties for non-compliance.
They also would have had to keep containers of milk below 40 degrees during transport. Violations of the rules could result in a fine of $500 per container of milk, the bill proposed.
For reference, California requires raw milk for human consumption to be kept under 45ºF. This bill would’ve been more strict and the fines would be explosive if a refrigerator went out and a stash of milk got even a few degrees above 40ºF.
Raw milk legalization is still popular in the state. Governor Jared Polis hopes Colorado will “fully legalize the production and sale of raw milk, properly labeled, so that those who prefer it are able to legally obtain it with greater ease.” Avian Flu is simply a convenient excuse to scuttle the bill among other issues and bring it back later once the details have been agreed upon.
Bird Flu makes the rounds
So, the semi-annual terror of Avian Influenza, aka Bird Flu or H5N1, has made the rounds again. All the surveillance sites in my state have been opened up and closed, with the exception of WSU Pullman – it apparently ripped through Washington back in December 2023 and died down. You’ll have to check your local monitors for info about your area. Here’s an unofficial map put together by Claudinne Miller at UNMC GCHS.
CDC reports 1 person has contracted the Bird Flu while working with cows on a conventional dairy farm, the second person since 2022, neither related to milk consumption.
Dairy cows may show relatively mild clinical signs when infected including “decreased lactation, abnormal appearance in milk, low appetite, and other symptoms” and recover after about 7-10 days.
The highly pathogenic aspect of “HPAI” only applies to birds, and birds get it the worst.
Particles of H5N1 may have been found in pasteurized milk, though there is no reliable test for Bird Flu.
Pasteurization allows industrial farmers to lean on brute sanitation. When the milk is going to get scorched, the quality of the milk and the health of the cow can be sacrificed for financial and operational efficiency. Pasteurization kills the bugs, but it doesn’t remove the bug bodies or any other contaminant which might pass through basic filtration.
Avian Flu has not been found in raw milk, nor has it been found making anyone sick through raw milk. FDA put out an advisory warning not to consume raw milk from animals showing symptoms of Avian Flu.
Some voices, who are always biased against raw milk, crop up to say “ooh, well, what about this, aren’t ya scared now?” with their spooky hypotheticals. CDC says the risk to humans is low, I’m not too impressed with the social media busking.
Dealing with sick cows is a regular part of dairy production. Avian Flu is just another thing for farmers to watch out for in their herds.
A bottle of milk either doesn’t have a bug, which wouldn’t be of anyone’s concern; or a bottle of milk does have a bug, which it might unsafe for people with weakened immune systems. There’s no need for superstition. Farmers should watch over their cows and consider at-home testing cows for Avian Flu on the farm.
Is Avian Flu in raw milk?
It could be. We know that H5N1 is the subject of gain-of-function research and its presence in mammals, including humans, may rapidly increase if they fail to keep their experiments contained.
On April 24, 2024, FDA advised producers not to manufacture or sell raw milk from animals showing symptoms of Avian Flu.
Because of the limited information available about the possible transmission of HPAI A (H5N1) viruses in raw milk, the FDA recommends that industry does not manufacture or sell raw milk or raw milk cheese products made with milk from cows showing symptoms of illness, including those infected with avian influenza viruses or exposed to those infected with avian influenza viruses. By exposure, we generally mean cattle located on a premises with cattle with suspected or confirmed HPAI A (H5N1). Given the variety of premises sizes and the potential for state requirements, the FDA recommends producers consult with state regulatory officials and their veterinarian for further guidance.
Accordingly, the FDA recommends that milk from exposed, asymptomatic cattle only be used for pasteurized milk and milk products whether for human or animal feed channels. The FDA recommends that premises test for HPAI viruses in pooled milk prior to resuming commerce in unpasteurized dairy products following apparent resolution of illnesses on the premises.
In FDA’s updates page:
The FDA continues to advise strongly against the consumption of raw milk and recommends that industry does not manufacture or sell raw milk or raw milk products.
FDA is not saying you shouldn’t consume raw milk because Avian Flu was found there. They are saying they always recommend not consuming raw milk. We already can’t agree on the original recommendation, ie whether or not 0.007% of raw milk consumers getting something like a stomach ache warrants the exclusion of raw milk. Bird Flu represents a hypothetical factor that may enter the existing matrix of risk presented with raw milk consumption at some point in the future.
While there are tests for H5N1 in cows, there is no reliable test for H5N1 in raw milk. From The FDA:
qPCR findings do not represent actual virus that may be a risk to consumers
Some media outlets are reporting on tests which returned a positive reading for H5N1 in conventional milk. These tests were conducted by a group of scientists at the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, assumed to be using the aforementioned testing method which The FDA states does not represent finding the actual virus which may be a risk to consumers.
Social media influencers have then used these media reports in an attempt to stir panic, accusing our health agencies of “doing nothing.” This hysterical type beat doesn’t hit like it used to, they’re failing to extend their panic beyond their audiences, so this ultimately peaked in a fury within those social media platforms which lasted for a week or so before dying down.
If they do find Avian Flu in raw milk, or if they find that raw milk can cause someone to be sickened with Bird Flu (not yet proven), I trust they’ll let us know. Hopefully, they’ll bring some real science (reliable tests) to the table if or when this occurs.
Read more about Avian Influenza
Raw Milk Institute – Bird Flu and Raw Milk: Where is the Evidence?
