niman Posted Monday at 08:26 AM Report Posted Monday at 08:26 AM Fresno-based Raw Farm, has a lot code of 20241109 and a "Best By" date of Nov. 27, 2024, according to the California Department of Public Health California Acts to Protect Public Health: CDPH Warns Against Drinking Single Lot of Raw Milk Following Bird Flu Detection; Secures Voluntary Recall November 24, 2024 NR24-039 No illnesses have been reported; Pasteurized milk is safe to drink What You Need to Know: CDPH warns consumers not to drink one batch of cream top, whole raw milk from Raw Farm, LLC of Fresno County due to a detection of bird flu virus. Raw Farm, LLC issued a voluntary recall at the state’s request of the affected lot code 20241109 with a Best By date of 11/27/2024. Consumers should immediately return any remaining product to the store where it was purchased. Pasteurized milk remains safe to drink Sacramento – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today is warning the public to avoid consuming one batch of cream top, whole raw milk produced and packaged by Raw Farm, LLC of Fresno County due to a detection of bird flu virus in a retail sample. At the state’s request, the company has issued a voluntary recall of the affected raw milk with lot code 20241109 and Best By date of 11/27/2024 printed on the packaging. No illnesses associated with this lot of raw milk have been reported. Out of an abundance of caution, and due to the ongoing spread of bird flu in dairy cows, poultry, and sporadic human cases, consumers should not consume any of the affected raw milk. Customers should immediately return any remaining product to the retail point of purchase. CDPH is also notifying retailers to remove the affected raw milk from their shelves. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Laboratory has been testing raw milk products from retail stores as a second line of consumer protection. The county identified bird flu in one sample of raw milk purchased at a retail outlet. The testing was then verified by the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System. Risks Associated with Raw Milk Public health experts have long warned consumers against consuming raw milk or raw milk products due to elevated risks of foodborne illness. Outbreaks due to Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, toxin producing E. coli, Brucella, Campylobacter, and many other bacteria have all been reported related to consuming raw dairy products. Raw milk products are not pasteurized, a heating process that kills bacteria and viruses such as bird flu. Pasteurized milk and milk products are safe to consume because the heating process kills pathogens, including bird flu, that can cause illness. Drinking or accidentally inhaling raw milk containing bird flu virus may lead to illness. In addition, touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands after touching raw milk with bird flu virus may also lead to infection. Symptoms of bird flu infection in humans include eye redness or discharge, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, trouble breathing and fever. Anyone who has consumed these specific products, and is experiencing these symptoms, should immediately contact their health care provider or local health department. California Regularly Tests Raw Milk As part of the state’s bird flu response, testing of raw milk from dairies has been increased to help prevent raw milk consumers from getting the virus. Once bird flu was found in California dairy herds, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) began weekly testing of raw milk in bulk tanks. In response to this positive test from a retail milk product, CDFA followed up with testing at both of Raw Farm LLC’s locations—results were negative for the virus—and now will begin testing for bird flu twice per week. Pasteurized Milk is Safe to Drink Pasteurized milk is safe to drink. Pasteurization, one of the most significant scientific food safety discoveries in human history, is the process of heating milk to specific temperatures for a certain length of time to kill many microorganisms and enzymes that lead to spoilage and illness. Pasteurization kills the bird flu virus and other harmful germs that can be found in raw milk. CDPH advises consumers not to drink raw milk or eat raw milk products due to the risk of foodborne illnesses. About Bird Flu Since early October, California has reported 29 confirmed human cases of bird flu, 28 of whom had direct contact with infected dairy cows. No person-to-person spread of bird flu has been detected in California or the U.S. To date, all cases have reported mild symptoms (primarily eye infections), and none have been hospitalized. Because bird flu viruses can change and gain the ability to spread more easily between people, public health officials have provided preventive measures and are monitoring animal and human infections carefully. Protecting Public Health California continues to take swift and comprehensive action in response to the detection of bird flu in dairy cows across the Central Valley, demonstrating a strong commitment to public health and worker safety. While the overall risk to the public remains low, the state is prioritizing containment efforts, raising public awareness, and providing resources to those at higher risk. Key initiatives include the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), increased testing, and robust surveillance of infected areas. Through coordinated efforts between agencies like CalOES, CDPH and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, California is leading a cross-agency response that includes multilingual outreach to dairy and poultry workers, a targeted social media campaign to promote preventive practices, and media interviews to keep the public informed. Additionally, the state is ensuring that farm workers have access to additional doses of seasonal flu vaccine from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce concurrent flu risks. Specifically, the state is: Working with local, state, and federal partners to monitor bird flu in farm animals and people who work closely with poultry and dairy cows. Distributing protective gear to dairy farms and workers who have contact with infected dairy cows or raw milk to reduce the risk of getting bird flu. Helping ensure individuals with symptoms of or exposure to bird flu have access to testing and treatment. Conducting timely public education efforts to ensure those impacted have information about bird flu. How Bird Flu Spreads Touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands after contact with raw milk from an infected cow, or other contaminated items or surfaces. Raw milk from an infected cow splashed into eyes, nose, or mouth. Drinking raw milk from a cow infected with bird flu virus. More Resources For the latest information on the state’s bird flu response, visit CDPH’s Bird Flu webpage and CDFA’s H5N1 Bird Flu Virus in Livestock site. For information on the national bird flu response, see CDC's Bird Flu Response Update. For work-related questions or complaints related to bird flu, contact the Cal/OSHA Call Center in English or Spanish at 1-833-579-0927. Employers can contact the California Occupational Health and Safety Division at 800-963-9424 for a free consultation to strengthen their illness and injury safety program. Farmers should contact the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s bird flu hotline at 866-922-2473 if they suspect their animals are infected with bird flu. Page Last Updated : November 24, 2024 https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR24-039.aspx
niman Posted Monday at 08:53 AM Author Report Posted Monday at 08:53 AM # #RAWGOODNESS November 24, 2024 https://youtube.com/shorts/o6COUza-wLU?si=bLL1CaXgN7PGraiL Proudly Produced by RAWFARM, LLC https://rawfarmusa.com/press-release RAW FARM will not offer for introduction, introduce, or cause to be introduced into interstate commerce, or deliver or cause to be delivered for introduction into interstate commerce, any unpasteurized raw milk or raw milk products. RAWGOODNESS Proudly Produced by RAWFARM, LLC RAW FARM will not offer for introduction, introduce, or cause to be introduced into interstate commerce, or deliver or cause to be delivered for introduction into interstate commerce, any unpasteurized raw milk or raw milk products.
niman Posted Monday at 09:08 AM Author Report Posted Monday at 09:08 AM Last content update: 11/24/24 The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department has been testing raw milk from local retail stores as part of the county's monitoring program for H5N1 bird flu. On November 21, the county's Public Health Laboratory identified H5 in samples of raw milk produced by Raw Farms LLC, purchased at a retail outlet. The County immediately notified the California Department of Public Health. The raw milk was voluntarily recalled by the company and the state has advised the public to not consume the contaminated raw milk. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department is monitoring a multi-state outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in dairy cows in the United States. This is the first time that H5N1 bird flu has been found in cows and transmission from cows to humans has been reported. H5N1 bird flu was first detected among cows in California in August 2024. H5N1 bird flu was first detected among humans in California in October 2024. To date, there have been no reported cases of H5N1 bird flu in cows or humans in Santa Clara County. For more information, including the number of reported H5N1 cases in cow herds and the number of reported human H5N1 cases in California and the rest of the United States, visit the CDC’s H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary webpage. What is H5N1 bird flu? https://publichealth.santaclaracounty.gov/diseases/h5n1-bird-flu
niman Posted Monday at 09:19 AM Author Report Posted Monday at 09:19 AM Raw farms youtube "not a big deal"
niman Posted Monday at 09:53 AM Author Report Posted Monday at 09:53 AM Wastewater Data for Avian Influenza A(H5) Print H5 detection in wastewater in the past week This interactive map shows current site-level data for avian influenza A(H5) viral RNA detections in wastewater. Each dot on the map represents a wastewater sampling site. For each site, results are reported as “H5 Detection” when any of the samples were positive during the week reported. When avian influenza A(H5) virus is not detected in any of the samples, then the site is classified as “No Detection.” All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received. Data will be updated on this site every Friday, based on data submitted to CDC by the end of the day on the previous Wednesday. What can wastewater data for influenza A(H5) tell us? Time Period: November 10 - November 16, 2024 H5 Detection 46 sites (14.2%) No Detection 279 sites (85.8%) No samples in last week 24 sites Click on the legend below to see detections. Skip Over Map Container Data Updated November 21, 2024 Skip Data Table Data Table Download Data (CSV) Skipped data table. H5 detection in wastewater in the past six weeks Time Period: October 06 - November 16, 2024 This searchable table shows site-level data for avian influenza A(H5) viral RNA detections in wastewater for the past six weeks. The date in the column header is the last day for that week of sample collection. The table shows if: + H5 was detected at the site – H5 was not detected at a site No Data No samples were taken for that site or no data is available for that site https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html
niman Posted Monday at 10:03 AM Author Report Posted Monday at 10:03 AM "In response to this positive test from a retail milk product, CDFA followed up with testing at both of Raw Farm LLC’s locations — results were negative for the virus — and now will begin testing for bird flu twice per week," according to the statement. Above says more about the testing of farms than H5N1 in retail stores
niman Posted Monday at 10:14 AM Author Report Posted Monday at 10:14 AM A dairy farm in California has issued a voluntary raw milk recall after H5N1 bird flu was detected in samples. Raw Farm, in Fresno, is recalling cream-top raw milk products produced on November 9. These products have a best-by date of November 27 and the lot ID number 20241109. The Santa Clara County Public Health Department detected the virus during routine testing of raw milk samples from retail stores. The department detected the virus on November 21, and the following day, the county contacted retailers to recommend that the affected products be pulled from shelves. Raw milk has been in the news recently as some Republicans have touted the benefits of drinking it, despite the spread of the H5N1 virus among dairy cows. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has also promoted raw milk. The test returned positive results for the "H5" part of the H5N1 virus. However, finding H5 in a California dairy product suggests the presence of H5N1, as no other H5 viruses have been found in dairy cows. The California Department of Food and Agriculture has been running weekly testing of raw milk in bulk tanks since H5N1 was first detected in California dairy farms. Following this positive test in Raw Farm's raw milk products, the CDFA ran tests at both of the company's locations. While the tests for the virus were negative, the CDFA plans to continue testing for bird flu twice a week. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 55 people in the United States have been infected with the highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 bird flu this year. Of these cases, 32 were associated with cattle and 21 with poultry. Two cases—in California and Missouri—had unknown associations. People can be infected if the virus gets into their eyes, nose or mouth. It can be inhaled, via droplets or dust in the air, or transmitted via contaminated surfaces. However, the CDC maintains that the current public health risk is low. How Safe Is Raw Milk? Raw milk is milk that has not undergone pasteurization processes to remove salmonella, E. coli, listeria and other potentially harmful bacteria and viruses, including bird flu. According to the CDC, from 1998 through 2018, there were 202 outbreaks of various illnesses linked to drinking raw milk. These outbreaks caused 2,645 illnesses and 228 hospitalizations. To date, there have been no reports of humans contracting bird flu through drinking raw milk. However, the CDC has published a report on barn cats in Texas that died after drinking raw milk from cows infected with bird flu. Of the 24 cats that drank the raw milk, half died. To minimize the risk of bird flu, the CDC advises people not to drink raw milk. The Food and Drug Administration also maintains that "raw milk can harbor dangerous germs that can pose serious health risks." Kennedy, who does not have any medical training, previously criticized the FDA for its stance against drinking raw milk. On October 25, Kennedy wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "FDA's war on public health is about to end. This includes its aggressive suppression of psychedelics, peptides, stem cells, raw milk, hyperbaric therapies, chelating compounds, ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, vitamins, clean foods, sunshine, exercise, nutraceuticals and anything else that advances human health and can't be patented by Pharma." The FDA has disputed that there are any benefits to drinking raw milk and has debunked common misconceptions that pasteurization can cause lactose intolerance and reduce milk's nutritional value. https://www.newsweek.com/raw-milk-recall-bird-flu-1990942
niman Posted Monday at 10:19 AM Author Report Posted Monday at 10:19 AM Bird flu detected in raw milk sold at California store The H5N1 virus was found in a sample of unpasteurized milk at a store, prompting a recall of one batch. Health agencies have warned against the growing dietary fad. 3 min 50 Bottles of raw milk on display for sale at a store in Temecula, California, on May 8, 2024. (JoNel Aleccia/AP) By Kelly Kasulis Cho November 25, 2024 at 1:08 a.m. EST Bird flu, a virus that can also affect humans, has been discovered in a batch of raw milk sold in California store refrigerators, state regulators said Sunday. While there have been no reported illnesses in this most recent case, it comes just a few days after a child tested positive for bird flu for the first time in U.S. history. Bird flu was detected in whole raw milk from Raw Farm that has a “best by” date of Nov. 27, 2024, the California Department of Public Health said. Raw Farm has issued a voluntary recall, and retailers have been notified to pull the product from their refrigerator racks, the department added. Consumers who may have it in their homes are advised not to drink it. Concerns over the H5N1 avian virus are mounting this year after scientists began detecting it in mammals such as dairy cows, indoor and outdoor cats, mice and a backyard pig. The H5 virus, formerly understood to circulate only among birds, has now also infected at least 55 people in the United States this year. However, the CDC says that infection via an intermediary animal happens “very rarely.” Unlike pasteurized milk — which undergoes a heating process that kills bacteria and viruses such as H5N1 — raw milk is associated with a number of serious health risks, including exposure to salmonella, E. coli, brucella, campylobacter and listeria. “Public health experts have long warned consumers against consuming raw milk or raw milk products due to elevated risks of foodborne illness,” the CDPH said. “Drinking or accidentally inhaling raw milk containing bird flu virus may lead to illness. In addition, touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands after touching raw milk with bird flu virus may also lead to infection,” it added. Pasteurization, named after 19th-century chemist Louis Pasteur, has been used routinely in milk production in the United States since the 1920s. By the 1950s, it had become a widespread practice that “led to dramatic reductions in the number of people getting sick,” the CDC said. The practice is known to kill the H5N1 virus in milk. Yet dairy farmers say they’ve been seeing an increasing demand for unpasteurized milk, with social media influencers and raw dairy evangelists touting raw milk online to millions of viewers, often claiming unproven or largely disproven health benefits. Some states have taken steps to legalize its sale on store shelves. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — who was recently tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services — has said he wants to boost access to it. The actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who has been criticized for touting unsupported health claims via her wellness brand Goop, said in a podcast interview that she drinks unpasteurized cream in her coffee daily, promoting the same brand of raw milk whose product is being pulled from California stores this week. Though it’s possible to contract the virus through drinking raw milk, the majority of known human cases of H5N1 in the United States have been transmitted through close, prolonged and unprotected contact with infected birds — or places contaminated with their bodily fluids, according to the CDC. Humans can become infected when the virus is inhaled through dust or droplets in the air, or gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth. As for symptoms, bird flu in humans has presented itself with a wide range of severity. Some have shown no sign of illness at all, the CDC said, while others have experienced severe symptoms or died of the disease. No deaths have been reported in the United States. Share 50Comments By Kelly Kasulis Cho Kelly Kasulis Cho is a breaking news reporter and editor at The Washington Post, based in Seoul. Previously, she spent four years covering North and South Korea as a freelance foreign correspondent, and she has also worked at the New York Times and Bloomberg BNA. Follow her on Twitter: @KasulisK.follow on X @kasulisk https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/11/25/bird-flu-virus-h5n1-milk/
Bottles of raw milk on display for sale at a store in Temecula, California, on May 8, 2024. (JoNel Aleccia/AP) By Kelly Kasulis Cho November 25, 2024 at 1:08 a.m. EST Bird flu, a virus that can also affect humans, has been discovered in a batch of raw milk sold in California store refrigerators, state regulators said Sunday. While there have been no reported illnesses in this most recent case, it comes just a few days after a child tested positive for bird flu for the first time in U.S. history. Bird flu was detected in whole raw milk from Raw Farm that has a “best by” date of Nov. 27, 2024, the California Department of Public Health said. Raw Farm has issued a voluntary recall, and retailers have been notified to pull the product from their refrigerator racks, the department added. Consumers who may have it in their homes are advised not to drink it. Concerns over the H5N1 avian virus are mounting this year after scientists began detecting it in mammals such as dairy cows, indoor and outdoor cats, mice and a backyard pig. The H5 virus, formerly understood to circulate only among birds, has now also infected at least 55 people in the United States this year. However, the CDC says that infection via an intermediary animal happens “very rarely.” Unlike pasteurized milk — which undergoes a heating process that kills bacteria and viruses such as H5N1 — raw milk is associated with a number of serious health risks, including exposure to salmonella, E. coli, brucella, campylobacter and listeria. “Public health experts have long warned consumers against consuming raw milk or raw milk products due to elevated risks of foodborne illness,” the CDPH said. “Drinking or accidentally inhaling raw milk containing bird flu virus may lead to illness. In addition, touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands after touching raw milk with bird flu virus may also lead to infection,” it added. Pasteurization, named after 19th-century chemist Louis Pasteur, has been used routinely in milk production in the United States since the 1920s. By the 1950s, it had become a widespread practice that “led to dramatic reductions in the number of people getting sick,” the CDC said. The practice is known to kill the H5N1 virus in milk. Yet dairy farmers say they’ve been seeing an increasing demand for unpasteurized milk, with social media influencers and raw dairy evangelists touting raw milk online to millions of viewers, often claiming unproven or largely disproven health benefits. Some states have taken steps to legalize its sale on store shelves. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — who was recently tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services — has said he wants to boost access to it. The actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who has been criticized for touting unsupported health claims via her wellness brand Goop, said in a podcast interview that she drinks unpasteurized cream in her coffee daily, promoting the same brand of raw milk whose product is being pulled from California stores this week. Though it’s possible to contract the virus through drinking raw milk, the majority of known human cases of H5N1 in the United States have been transmitted through close, prolonged and unprotected contact with infected birds — or places contaminated with their bodily fluids, according to the CDC. Humans can become infected when the virus is inhaled through dust or droplets in the air, or gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth. As for symptoms, bird flu in humans has presented itself with a wide range of severity. Some have shown no sign of illness at all, the CDC said, while others have experienced severe symptoms or died of the disease. No deaths have been reported in the United States. Share 50Comments By Kelly Kasulis Cho Kelly Kasulis Cho is a breaking news reporter and editor at The Washington Post, based in Seoul. Previously, she spent four years covering North and South Korea as a freelance foreign correspondent, and she has also worked at the New York Times and Bloomberg BNA. Follow her on Twitter: @KasulisK.follow on X @kasulisk https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/11/25/bird-flu-virus-h5n1-milk/
niman Posted Monday at 10:24 AM Author Report Posted Monday at 10:24 AM Bird Flu Detected In Batch Of Raw Milk Sold In California Story by Siladitya Ray, Forbes Staff • 3h • 2 min read Topline California state health officials said the bird flu virus was detected in a batch of raw milk sold at retail stores across the state, prompting a voluntary recall, as authorities once again warned about the risks of consuming unpasteurized milk—a practice some social media influencers and right-wing figures, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have promoted. A bottle of raw milk from Raw Farm is displayed for sale at a store in Temecula, California. Associated Press Key Facts The California Department of Public Health said the virus was detected in a batch of cream top, whole raw milk sold by Fresno-based dairy farm, Raw Farm—which has issued a voluntary recall at the state’s request. The virus was detected in samples tested by the Santa Clara Public Health Laboratory, which collects and tests raw milk from retail shelves as a “second line of consumer protection,” the statement said. No illnesses linked to the affected raw milk lot have been reported so far. The agency urged people not to consume any of the affected milk and return any remaining product, while retailers have been informed to remove the affected batch from shelves. The California Department of Food and Agriculture—which has conducted weekly tests of raw milk in bulk tanks after bird flu was detected in dairy cattle in the state—will now “begin testing for bird flu twice per week” at Raw Farm’s locations, the agency said. What Are The Risks Of Drinking Raw Milk? In its notice, the state health department highlighted the risks associated with consuming raw milk—which is milk that has not been pasteurized to kill bacteria and viruses. The agency said outbreaks of “Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, toxin-producing E. coli, Brucella, Campylobacter and many other bacteria,” have been linked to the consumption of raw dairy products. The agency noted that pasteurized milk and milk products are safe to consume. Pasteurization is a simple process of “heating milk to a high enough temperature for a certain length of time” to kill any dangerous pathogens. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/bird-flu-detected-in-batch-of-raw-milk-sold-in-california/ar-AA1uH3X7?ocid=BingNewsBrowse Related video: Human Bird Flu Cases Are Going Overwhelmingly Undetected in the US: CDC Report (Veuer)
niman Posted Monday at 10:28 AM Author Report Posted Monday at 10:28 AM Raw Milk LLC recalls batch of raw milk after bird flu virus found in sample Marianne Ratcliff Nov 24, 2024 Updated 2 hrs ago 0 Facebook Twitter Email Facebook Twitter Email Print Copy article link Save Photos by California Department of Public Health At the request of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Raw Farm LLC of Fresno County has issued a recall of one batch of cream top, whole raw milk it produced and packaged due to a detection of bird flu virus in a retail sample. The voluntary recall affects its raw milk with lot code 20241109 and "Best By" date of 11/27/2024 printed on the packaging. Due to the bird flu virus being detected in one retail sample from a batch of raw milk from the Raw Milk LLC company in Fresno County, the company is voluntarily recalling the batch with lot code 20241109 and "Best By" date of 11/27/2024 printed on the packaging. In announcing the recall it requested on Nov. 24, the California Department of Public Health emphasized that pasteurized milk is safe to drink and that no illnesses from drinking Raw Milk LLC's product have been reported. Pasteurized milk and milk products are safe to consume because the heating process kills pathogens, including bird flu, that can cause illness. In a news release (https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR24-039.aspx) on Nov. 24, CDPH provided the following information to the public: What the public needs to know "Out of an abundance of caution, and due to the ongoing spread of bird flu in dairy cows, poultry, and sporadic human cases, consumers should not consume any of the affected raw milk. Customers should immediately return any remaining product to the retail point of purchase. CDPH is also notifying retailers to remove the affected raw milk from their shelves. "The county of Santa Clara Public Health Laboratory has been testing raw milk products from retail stores as a second line of consumer protection. The county identified bird flu in one sample of raw milk purchased at a retail outlet. The testing was then verified by the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System. Risks associated with raw milk "Public health experts have long warned consumers against consuming raw milk or raw milk products due to elevated risks of foodborne illness. Outbreaks due to Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, toxin producing E. coli, Brucella, Campylobacter, and many other bacteria have all been reported related to consuming raw dairy products. ... "Drinking or accidentally inhaling raw milk containing bird flu virus may lead to illness. In addition, touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands after touching raw milk with bird flu virus may also lead to infection. "Symptoms of bird flu infection in humans include eye redness or discharge, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, trouble breathing and fever. Anyone who has consumed these specific products, and is experiencing these symptoms, should immediately contact their health care provider or local health department. California agencies regularly tests raw milk "As part of the state’s bird flu response, testing of raw milk from dairies has been increased to help prevent raw milk consumers from getting the virus. Once bird flu was found in California dairy herds, the California Department of Food and Agriculture began weekly testing of raw milk in bulk tanks. In response to this positive test from a retail milk product, CDFA followed up with testing at both of Raw Farm LLC’s locations — results were negative for the virus — and now will begin testing for bird flu twice per week. Pasteurized milk is safe to drink "Pasteurized milk is safe to drink. Pasteurization, one of the most significant scientific food safety discoveries in human history, is the process of heating milk to specific temperatures for a certain length of time to kill many microorganisms and enzymes that lead to spoilage and illness. Pasteurization kills the bird flu virus and other harmful germs that can be found in raw milk. CDPH advises consumers not to drink raw milk or eat raw milk products due to the risk of foodborne illnesses. About bird flu "Since early October, California has reported 29 confirmed human cases of bird flu, 28 of whom had direct contact with infected dairy cows. To date, all cases have reported mild symptoms (primarily eye infections), and none have been hospitalized. Because bird flu viruses can change and gain the ability to spread more easily between people, public health officials have provided preventive measures and are monitoring animal and human infections carefully. Protecting public health "California continues to take swift and comprehensive action in response to the detection of bird flu in dairy cows across the Central Valley, demonstrating a strong commitment to public health and worker safety. While the overall risk to the public remains low, the state is prioritizing containment efforts, raising public awareness, and providing resources to those at higher risk. Key initiatives include the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), increased testing, and robust surveillance of infected areas. "Through coordinated efforts between agencies like California Office of Emergency Services, CDPH and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, California is leading a cross-agency response that includes multilingual outreach to dairy and poultry workers, a targeted social media campaign to promote preventive practices, and media interviews to keep the public informed. Additionally, the state is ensuring that farm workers have access to additional doses of seasonal flu vaccine from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce concurrent flu risks. Specifically, the state is: " • Working with local, state, and federal partners to monitor bird flu in farm animals and people who work closely with poultry and dairy cows. " • Distributing protective gear to dairy farms and workers who have contact with infected dairy cows or raw milk to reduce the risk of getting bird flu. " • Helping ensure individuals with symptoms of or exposure to bird flu have access to testing and treatment. " • Conducting timely public education y efforts (https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/Communications-Toolkits/Bird-Flu.aspx) to ensure those impacted have information about bird flu. How bird flu spreads " • Touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands after contact with raw milk from an infected cow, or other contaminated items or surfaces. " • Raw milk from an infected cow splashed into eyes, nose, or mouth. " • Drinking raw milk from a cow infected with bird flu virus. More resources " For the latest information on the state’s bird flu response, visit CDPH’s Bird Flu webpage and CDFA’s H5N1 Bird Flu Virus in Livestock site: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/Animal_Health/HPAI.html. " For information on the national bird flu response, see CDC's Bird Flu Response Update: https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html " For work-related questions or complaints related to bird flu, contact the Cal/OSHA Call Center in English or Spanish at 1-833-579-0927. Employers can contact the California Occupational Health and Safety Division at 800-963-9424 for a free consultation to strengthen their illness and injury safety program. "Farmers should contact the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s bird flu hotline at 866-922-2473 if they suspect their animals are infected with bird flu." https://www.ojaivalleynews.com/news/raw-milk-llc-recalls-batch-of-raw-milk-after-bird-flu-virus-found-in-sample/article_7ca616ea-aaf4-11ef-94f6-5fbe12cec2ef.html
niman Posted Monday at 10:33 AM Author Report Posted Monday at 10:33 AM Breaking Bird Flu Detected In Batch Of Raw Milk Sold In California Siladitya Ray Forbes Staff Siladitya Ray is a New Delhi-based Forbes news team reporter. Updated Nov 25, 2024, 03:55am EST Topline California state health officials said the bird flu virus was detected in a batch of raw milk sold at retail stores across the state, prompting a voluntary recall, as authorities once again warned about the risks of consuming unpasteurized milk—a practice some social media influencers and right-wing figures, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have promoted. A bottle of raw milk from Raw Farm is displayed for sale at a store in Temecula, California. Associated Press Key Facts The California Department of Public Health said the virus was detected in a batch of cream top, whole raw milk sold by Fresno-based dairy farm, Raw Farm—which has issued a voluntary recall at the state’s request. The virus was detected in samples tested by the Santa Clara Public Health Laboratory, which collects and tests raw milk from retail shelves as a “second line of consumer protection,” the statement said. No illnesses linked to the affected raw milk lot have been reported so far. The agency urged people not to consume any of the affected milk and return any remaining product, while retailers have been informed to remove the affected batch from shelves. The California Department of Food and Agriculture—which has conducted weekly tests of raw milk in bulk tanks after bird flu was detected in dairy cattle in the state—will now “begin testing for bird flu twice per week” at Raw Farm’s locations, the agency said. What Are The Risks Of Drinking Raw Milk? In its notice, the state health department highlighted the risks associated with consuming raw milk—which is milk that has not been pasteurized to kill bacteria and viruses. The agency said outbreaks of “Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, toxin-producing E. coli, Brucella, Campylobacter and many other bacteria,” have been linked to the consumption of raw dairy products. The agency noted that pasteurized milk and milk products are safe to consume. Pasteurization is a simple process of “heating milk to a high enough temperature for a certain length of time” to kill any dangerous pathogens. Key Background Several prominent online influencers—like Joe Rogan—and right-wing figures have promoted the consumption of raw milk with dubious claims about its health benefits. Health and Human Services Secretary nominee, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also emerged as a prominent supporter of unpasteurized dairy and has even said he only drinks raw milk. In a post on X last month, Kennedy threatened to fire FDA employees who he accused of waging a “war on public health.” Among his list of grievances was the agency’s supposed “aggressive suppression” of things like raw milk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, notes that pasteurized milk “offers the same nutritional benefits without the risks of raw milk consumption.” In its guidance for preventing a bird flu infection, the CDC mentions raw milk as a potential source, telling people to not “ touch or consume raw milk or raw milk products, especially from animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza A virus infection.” Big Number 55. That is the total number of H5 bird flu cases among people across the U.S., according to CDC data. However, there have been no reported cases of person-to-person spread so far. Further Reading How Raw Milk Went from a Whole Foods Staple to a Conservative Signal (Politico) RFK Jr. says he drinks raw milk. How safe is unpasteurized milk? (Washington Post) https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2024/11/25/bird-flu-detected-in-batch-of-raw-milk-sold-in-california/
niman Posted Monday at 02:18 PM Author Report Posted Monday at 02:18 PM 7,562 views Aug 28, 2024 Back to the People Mark McAfee is a fifth generation farmer, owning and operating Raw Farm, the largest raw dairy operation in the world. He works to offer raw dairy products intended for human consumption, advocating for their non-allergenic, digestible, and probiotic properties. He is the Chairman of the Raw Milk Institute, founded in 2012, which seeks to improve the safety and quality of raw milk products. He is committed to promoting the health benefits of raw dairy products and maintaining sustainable farming practices, making him one of the foremost leaders in the field. Off the farm, he lectures on the gut biome benefits of raw milk at Stanford, University of Southern California, and medical schools in the United States, Australia, and Canada.
niman Posted yesterday at 01:20 AM Author Report Posted yesterday at 01:20 AM Avian influenza virus found in California raw milk sample November 25, 2024 By Larry Lee Filed Under: Dairy, Dairy, Food, Food safety, News A California dairy that sells raw, unpasteurized milk is recalling some of it after tests found the avian influenza virus was present. Dr. Keith Poulson with the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory tells Brownfield it is odd to see what has been happening in California with higher raw milk demand during the past few months. “We’ve had stories out of Los Angeles that people’s demand for raw milk has really exploded because people think that if they drink it, they’re going to essentially vaccinate themselves by consuming the antibodies that are produced in that milk, and immunology really doesn’t work that way.” Poulson says H5N1 is probably the least of his concerns with raw milk because there are other pathogens that are shed into milk. “It’s a public health risk and we really don’t want to see raw milk being consumed for multiple different reasons despite the claims for health and well being.” Poulson says pasteurization makes fluid milk safe, and he says the aging process for certain raw milk artisan cheeses also kills pathogens that can affect human health. Fresno County, California-based Raw Farm LLC issued a voluntary recall Sunday for Cream Top whole raw milk from lot No. 20241109 with a “best by” date of Nov. 27 because of the presence of the avian influenza virus. Customers can get refunds from their retailers. https://www.brownfieldagnews.com/news/avian-influenza-virus-found-in-california-raw-milk-sample/
niman Posted yesterday at 04:15 AM Author Report Posted yesterday at 04:15 AM Home Santa Barbara Votes: 2024 General Election Results Best of Santa Barbara® 2024 News Got a Scoop? Arts & Entertainment Santa Barbara Live Music Venues Living Food & Drink Opinion Events Sports Obituaries Real Estate Indy Parenting Cover Stories Extra! Wedding Santa Barbara Green Guide Classifieds Advertise About Us Contact Us Create Event Subscribe Bird Flu Virus Contamination Pulls Raw Milk off Santa Barbara Shelves No Known Illness Resulted from Raw Farm Milk Infected with H5N1 Virus data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjczMCIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMjQiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIi8+ One batch of raw milk from Fresno-based Raw Farm has been recalled voluntarily by the dairy after California state labs detected bird flu virus in the milk. Pasteurized milk is unaffected by the recall. | Credit: Courtesy California Department of Public Health By Jean YamamuraMon Nov 25, 2024 | 01:53pm One batch of raw milk from California has tested positive for bird flu, a virus that has sickened herds of dairy cows across the nation, as well as a number of dairy workers. The manufacturer, Raw Farm LLC of Fresno County, voluntarily recalled a “cream top, whole raw milk” with lot code 20241109, expiration date November 27, 2024. While no illnesses have been reported, the California Department of Public Health advises purchasers to return the product to the store where it was purchased. Raw milk from Raw Farm is sold by a number of Santa Barbara grocery stores. Several store employees told the Independent that Raw Farm had contacted them about a recall this Monday morning. The product has been taken off the shelves, they said. The recall does not affect pasteurized milk as the heat of the pasteurization process kills bacteria and viruses, including the bird flu virus — H5N1 — that concerns medical officials. Raw milk products have caused outbreaks of illnesses in the past, from Salmonella, Listeria, and e. Coli, for instance. However, advocates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services — believe raw milk contains more healthy enzymes, vitamins, and probiotics than the pasteurized version. A virus borne by wild birds and waterfowl, H5N1 first affected U.S. poultry in 2021, then spread to dairy cows, likely through common watering holes. While the first human case was a poultry worker in 2022, the second this past March was a dairyman in Texas who reported eye redness, or conjunctivitis, that was traced to H5N1. This first report coming out of Texas also associated the virus with the death of barn cats, and the virus was detected in the milk of infected herds. The virus is shed through bodily liquids, including milk, which has a thick, yellow consistency from cows that are ill. Any such milk was ordered destroyed by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, but cows can carry the virus and not appear to be ill. While the virus has a high mortality rate in birds, only 10 percent of cows in an infected herd may show signs of illness, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. As of November 22, the CDC had counted 616 affected dairy herds in 15 states. Thus far, 53 people working in poultry or dairy barns have reported an illness, generally mild, but two other infections are of unknown origin. What concerns health officials is that H5N1 might develop the ability to transmit from human to human. A recent case in California found a household sick with flu, with one child testing positive for H5N1. The rest of the family, however, only had regular respiratory viruses, not the avian variety, and the route of transmission to the child remains unknown. Concern has existed that mild symptoms or a reluctance to report illness has downplayed the number of people infected, thought to occur from splashes during milking. So far, no person-to-person transmission of H5N1 has taken place. U.S. Health and Human Services stated in October that the department has been “preparing for avian influenza outbreak for 20 years,” and has emphasized community health, food safety, farmers, and mitigating risk to both animals and people. Physicians have emphasized that should an outbreak occur, vaccines against H5N1 already exist. The virus has had a huge impact on the dairy industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has offered aid in the form of personal protection equipment, biosecurity improvements, reimbursement for veterinary costs, and compensation for losses. In the poultry industry, emergency funding was given for birds and eggs that had to be destroyed. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.com/2024/11/25/bird-flu-virus-contamination-pulls-raw-milk-off-santa-barbara-shelves/%3famp=1
Bird Flu Virus Contamination Pulls Raw Milk off Santa Barbara Shelves No Known Illness Resulted from Raw Farm Milk Infected with H5N1 Virus data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjczMCIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMjQiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIi8+ One batch of raw milk from Fresno-based Raw Farm has been recalled voluntarily by the dairy after California state labs detected bird flu virus in the milk. Pasteurized milk is unaffected by the recall. | Credit: Courtesy California Department of Public Health By Jean YamamuraMon Nov 25, 2024 | 01:53pm One batch of raw milk from California has tested positive for bird flu, a virus that has sickened herds of dairy cows across the nation, as well as a number of dairy workers. The manufacturer, Raw Farm LLC of Fresno County, voluntarily recalled a “cream top, whole raw milk” with lot code 20241109, expiration date November 27, 2024. While no illnesses have been reported, the California Department of Public Health advises purchasers to return the product to the store where it was purchased. Raw milk from Raw Farm is sold by a number of Santa Barbara grocery stores. Several store employees told the Independent that Raw Farm had contacted them about a recall this Monday morning. The product has been taken off the shelves, they said. The recall does not affect pasteurized milk as the heat of the pasteurization process kills bacteria and viruses, including the bird flu virus — H5N1 — that concerns medical officials. Raw milk products have caused outbreaks of illnesses in the past, from Salmonella, Listeria, and e. Coli, for instance. However, advocates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services — believe raw milk contains more healthy enzymes, vitamins, and probiotics than the pasteurized version. A virus borne by wild birds and waterfowl, H5N1 first affected U.S. poultry in 2021, then spread to dairy cows, likely through common watering holes. While the first human case was a poultry worker in 2022, the second this past March was a dairyman in Texas who reported eye redness, or conjunctivitis, that was traced to H5N1. This first report coming out of Texas also associated the virus with the death of barn cats, and the virus was detected in the milk of infected herds. The virus is shed through bodily liquids, including milk, which has a thick, yellow consistency from cows that are ill. Any such milk was ordered destroyed by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, but cows can carry the virus and not appear to be ill. While the virus has a high mortality rate in birds, only 10 percent of cows in an infected herd may show signs of illness, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. As of November 22, the CDC had counted 616 affected dairy herds in 15 states. Thus far, 53 people working in poultry or dairy barns have reported an illness, generally mild, but two other infections are of unknown origin. What concerns health officials is that H5N1 might develop the ability to transmit from human to human. A recent case in California found a household sick with flu, with one child testing positive for H5N1. The rest of the family, however, only had regular respiratory viruses, not the avian variety, and the route of transmission to the child remains unknown. Concern has existed that mild symptoms or a reluctance to report illness has downplayed the number of people infected, thought to occur from splashes during milking. So far, no person-to-person transmission of H5N1 has taken place. U.S. Health and Human Services stated in October that the department has been “preparing for avian influenza outbreak for 20 years,” and has emphasized community health, food safety, farmers, and mitigating risk to both animals and people. Physicians have emphasized that should an outbreak occur, vaccines against H5N1 already exist. The virus has had a huge impact on the dairy industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has offered aid in the form of personal protection equipment, biosecurity improvements, reimbursement for veterinary costs, and compensation for losses. In the poultry industry, emergency funding was given for birds and eggs that had to be destroyed. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.com/2024/11/25/bird-flu-virus-contamination-pulls-raw-milk-off-santa-barbara-shelves/%3famp=1
niman Posted 19 hours ago Author Report Posted 19 hours ago I Ran Operation Warp Speed. I’m Concerned About Bird Flu. Nov. 26, 2024, 5:03 a.m. ET Credit...Steffanie A. Padilla Share full article 2 By David A. Kessler Dr. Kessler was commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration during the George H.W. Bush and Clinton administrations and was the Biden administration’s chief science officer during Covid-19. As Donald Trump gets ready to return to the White House on Jan. 20, he must be prepared to tackle one issue immediately: the possibility that the spreading avian flu might mutate to enable human-to-human transmission. I was the Biden administration’s chief science officer during Covid-19. I was co-leader of Operation Warp Speed, which began in Mr. Trump’s first term to accelerate the development of Covid-19 vaccines. I worked on the purchase and rollout of hundreds of millions of vaccines and on developing antiviral treatments. One of my jobs was to assess the trajectory of the virus. Now I am back at my job teaching at the medical school at the University of California, San Francisco. I have been monitoring the spread of bird flu, also known as H5N1, and discussing the situation with colleagues around the country. My concern is growing. So far, there have been no reports of person-to-person spread of H5N1, though there have been at least 55 confirmed cases of bird flu in humans in the United States, almost entirely among poultry and dairy workers. Those infections are presumed to be primarily the result of contact with animals. In addition, a child in Alameda County in California with minor respiratory symptoms tested positive for H5N1 recently; it is unclear how the child became infected. There are likely other cases out there that are not being diagnosed. All of those cases have been mild. But a teenager in British Columbia who was infected with the virus is now critically ill. In this instance, too, it is unclear how the teenager became infected. But the virus showed signs that it had mutated in a way that could make it easier to transmit to another person. If this is the case, the virus might then get enough of a foothold to begin human-to-human transmission. Further mutations could evolve that would enhance attachment to human cells. Until the British Columbia case, the recent bird flu infections in humans in North America had been limited to the eyes and nasal passages. But H5N1 becomes deadly when the virus attaches to the lining of the lungs in the lower respiratory tract. This virus has killed before. In 1997, an outbreak of H5N1 in poultry in Hong Kong resulted in 18 animal-to-human infections and six deaths, the first known fatal human infections. Then, in 2003, H5N1 appeared in wild birds in Asia. Outbreaks followed in poultry and resulted in two deaths in people. As outbreaks continued to occur, the mortality rate surpassed 50 percent. Here is where matters stand: The most recent risk assessment from the Johns Hopkins Center for Outbreak Response Innovation, issued on Nov. 19, listed the risk of infection to farm workers as high, and the risk of infection to people in contact with affected farm workers and animals as moderate. The Hopkins report said that “while the immediate risk to the general public and health care workers is still currently low, the long-term consequences of continued, uncontrolled transmissions presents a high risk to all populations.” California has recently seen a significant rise in detections of H5N1 in dairy herds. Experts believe that animals at as many as half the dairy farms in California are infected. That is why it is important to pasteurize milk, which kills the virus. (All milk sold across state lines is pasteurized; 30 states allow the in-state sale of nonpasteurized milk, which is labeled “raw.”) Two states, Colorado and Pennsylvania, have agreed to test pooled milk from all farms before pasteurization to monitor spread. Bulk milk testing should be mandatory in all states with dairy farms to determine the full extent of the infection on these farms and also allow us to contain the virus. As if to underline the importance of such a mandate, bird flu was detected in raw milk bought retail last Thursday from a dairy producer based in Fresno, Calif. Without mandatory testing, bird flu will continue circulating at farms across the country, which substantially increases the risk that the virus mutates and evolves to allow a human-to-human transmission that will be hard to stop. H5N1 has already shown a propensity to rapidly infect hundreds of herds and farms in the United States. Since March, 616 dairy herds in 15 states have been infected with H5N1. And since the onset of the outbreak in February 2022, H5N1 has been detected in poultry in 49 states, affecting a total of 111 million birds. There has also been an increase in H5N1 detections in migratory and commercial birds in the European Union, Canada, Japan and South Korea, compared to 2023. What’s also worrisome is that our arsenal to fight back might not be up to the task. An analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that a mutation in people in Washington State who work as poultry cullers might reduce the effectiveness of oseltamivir, also known as Tamiflu, in treating influenza A, a type of flu that includes H5N1 and many other subtypes. And a mutation found in a recent California case could potentially reduce the effectiveness of baloxavir marboxil, another drug used to treat influenza A. In the case of monoclonal antibodies for use against the virus, there are none commercially available at present. These lab-produced antibodies are designed to mimic the body’s immune response and directly target the virus. As for vaccines, there has been modest progress on candidates for mRNA vaccines, which stimulate the body’s own immune system against a specific virus. The candidates could offer more effective countermeasures in response to worrisome mutations. Importantly, the companies that increased production of the mRNA vaccines during Covid-19 are developing bird flu vaccines. Fortunately, the country already has five million doses of the influenza A (H5) vaccine on hand and another five million doses will probably be ready by the end of the year. That is enough to cover the farmworker community. That vaccine is expected to have similar effectiveness to our seasonal flu vaccines, ranging from 30 percent to 70 percent. No one knows how many mutations will be required to set off human-to- human respiratory spread. That could require many mutations and may never happen. But we could also be just two or three mutations away. If the virus begins to transmit efficiently among humans, it will be very difficult to contain, according to the Johns Hopkins assessment, and “the likelihood of a pandemic is very high.” The incoming Trump administration needs to be prepared. David A. Kessler, a physician and lawyer, was the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration during the George H.W. Bush and Clinton administrations and was the Biden administration’s chief science officer during Covid-19. He was also the dean of the medical schools at Yale and the University of California, San Francisco, where he is now a professor. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here’s our email: [email protected]. Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, X and Threads. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/26/opinion/vaccine-bird-flu-pandemic.html
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