The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has begun testing more dairy products for the presence of the bird fluas outbreaks spread through dairy herds of all country.
More than 120 dairy herds in 12 states have tested positive in bird flu testing since March, according to the Department of Agriculture. Federal authorities have warned that more spread among dairy cows could increase the risk of human infections.
According to Don Prater, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, additional testing focuses on ensuring that pasteurization inactivates the virus.
Tests previously conducted by the FDA on 297 retail dairy samples tested negative regarding the presence of the virus. The agency continues discouraging strongly consumption of raw dairy productsPrater said.
Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), indicated that more than 690 people exposed to infected or suspected infected animals were monitored for flu symptoms, and 51 people who developed flu-like symptoms were tested.
Three dairy farm workers have tested positive for the virus with mild respiratory or conjunctivitis symptoms, and everyone has recovered.
He Risk of bird flu to general public remains lowaccording to federal authorities, although it is higher for dairy farm workers, who must wear personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of infection.
Source: Ambito
