WHO recommends drinking only pasteurized milk to avoid infection with H5N1 avian influenza

The H5N1 avian influenza virus has struck California after the virus was discovered in a shipment of raw milk. To avoid this situation, Maria Van Kerkhove, Director of Epidemic Prevention and Preparedness (EPP) at the World Health Organization (WHO), recommended Drink only pasteurized milk.

Van Kerkhove emphasized this Thursday during the WHO press conference that they recommend and have always recommended drinking “pasteurized milk to obtain a range of health benefits.” Thus, he stated that it is as important for H5N1 as “for other pathogens and other bacteria“

When asked about the possibility new pandemic In the case of avian flu, Van Kerkhove has ruled out this possibility for now and emphasized that “the number of human infections with the H5N1 virus remains small in relative terms,” while pointing out that “it is increasing throughout the world, not just in the United States.

In addition, he clarified that “much greater” efforts are needed to reduce the risk of infection between animals, new species and people. And to do this, they must protect “people who are in danger, people who are at risk.” However, he noted that “no evidence of infection among people was observed.” “But for each of these cases identified in people, research is being carried out. exhaustive research including additional testing of contacts,” he pointed to cases recently identified in the United States.

flu pandemic

As Van Kerkhove explained, WHO is always in the know. constant state of alert when it comes to a flu pandemic, “Because it’s not a question of if, but when,” he added.

For this reason, he continued, “the work we do through the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System and our Pandemic Influenza Preparedness System, as well as reviewing access to medical countermeasures such as vaccines, diagnostics and methods treatment, prepares us for when we find ourselves “in a flu pandemic situation,” he said.

However, please note that ‘more oversight and transparency’ needed between the human health, livestock and environmental sectors to better assess risks.

However, at the moment, the director of the Department of Prevention and Preparedness for Epidemics and Pandemics assured that “the risk of bird flu for the population is low, but low to moderate for people exposed to occupational exposure. “This moderate level depends on the level of protection they have,” he added.

Case in California

This Wednesday, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a second warning to Californians. don’t drink raw milk produced and packaged by Raw Farm, Fresno County, due to the discovery of avian influenza virus in a second retail sample. At the request of the state, the company voluntarily recalled the affected batch of milk from the market.

CDPHN reported that there have been no identified human cases of avian influenza associated with this product. Meanwhile, the state continues to investigate the connection between detection of avian influenza in retail raw milk and current spread of avian influenza among dairy cows, poultry and sporadic human cases. At this time, CDPHN urges citizens not to consume contaminated raw milk.