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Understanding the Persistence of H5N1 Bird Flu in Unpasteurized Milk: Implications for Human and Animal Health

The H5N1 virus, also known⁤ as bird flu, can remain stable in unpasteurized milk on the metal⁢ and rubber ‍parts of commercial‍ milking equipment for at least an hour. This increases the‌ possibility of the virus infecting both humans ⁤and​ other ⁢animals, according ⁣to⁤ a report by researchers from the⁣ University of Pittsburgh ‍School of Medicine and Emory University in ⁤Emerging⁤ Infectious Diseases. The​ study ‌highlights the increased risk of bird flu transmission through unpasteurized milk.The ⁣study highlights the⁣ importance of providing dairy farm workers with adequate protection, such as face shields, masks, and eye protection. According to Valerie Le Sage, Ph.D., from⁤ the Center for ‍Vaccine Research at ⁣Pitt, there ⁣is concern about the ⁤virus remaining stable in ​residual ⁤milk from the milking process,⁣ which⁢ could potentially infect ⁢workers or spread between animals. This emphasizes the need for wider adoption of⁢ personal protective equipment to ensure the safety of dairy farm workers.”mal.”

The clinical signs⁢ of ⁢bird flu can vary from mild ⁣fever and cough to difficulty breathing and pneumonia and‌ can be deadly. Since March 2024, when the bird flu⁣ virus was first ⁢found in dairy cows in the United States,⁣ it has spread to other states and infected at least 3 individuals. Despite the U.S. Center⁢ for Disease Control and Prevention stating that the current risk to ⁣the public is low, flu viruses can quickly change to spread from person⁢ to person.

In order⁤ to comprehend ⁣the‍ potential for transmission from cows⁤ to dairy farm workers, scientists examined the stability of infectious flu virus particles in unpasteurizedMilk⁣ droplets with H5N1 and H1N1 viruses can remain stable on‍ metal and rubber surfaces of milking ⁤equipment for ​a significant ⁢amount of time. In a lab setting that replicated the conditions​ of outdoor milking parlors in Texas, it was found that H5N1 virus particles ⁢in milk were stable on ‌metal ‍and rubber for over an hour. Similarly, H1N1​ virus particles were infectious for at least 3 hours on ⁣rubber ⁤and 1⁤ hour on stainless steel. This study suggests‍ that contaminated milking equipment surfaces could potentially contribute to the spread‌ of illness from animals⁣ to humans.Experts stress‍ the importance of using face shields, masks, and eye protection, as well as implementing​ thorough sanitization of equipment ⁣between cows. This ⁢is ⁤crucial in reducing the risk to workers‍ and⁤ preventing the spread of infection among animals. The study was also conducted by Douglas ​Reed,​ Ph.D., and Paul Duprex, Ph.D. from the ‌University of Pittsburgh, along with A.J. ⁣Campbell,‌ Ph.D., and Seema Lakdawala, Ph.D. from Emory University. Funding for this research was provided in part by the Department of ​Health and Human⁢ Services (Contract ⁣No. 75N93021C00015)⁢ and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which supports the operations⁤ of the Regional ⁣Biocontainment Laboratory at the University ‌of Pittsburgh.The‌ Center‍ for Vaccine Research‍ (UC7AI180311) is committed to⁣ developing vaccines to combat diseases.