“No live, infectious virus was detected” as part of new checks carried out on milk and dairy products in the USA, where there is an ongoing epidemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in cows. The Food and Drug Administration (Fda) announced this, reassuring consumers: “Pasteurization is effective in inactivating Hpai viruses”, pathogens of type A (H5) or A (H7). The agency also recalls that the definition of “highly pathogenic” for Hpai “refers to a serious impact on birds, not necessarily on humans”.
The results reported by the FDA refer to a national study launched in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to verify the safety of milk on the market. The investigation was conducted on a total of 297 samples of dairy products sold at retail. The new data refers to 201 samples of milk and dairy products, including cottage cheese and sour cream, which the PCR analysis tested positive for the presence of viral fragments. These samples were then subjected to the gold standard analysis which allows us to detect the possible presence of infectious viruses. “Such additional preliminary testing did not detect any live, infectious virus,” the FDA stressed. “Together with previously communicated preliminary results from an initial series of 96 milk samples, these data confirm our assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe,” the agency reiterated.
Viral fragments had been found in one milk sample out of 5 subjected to PCR, but the agency immediately clarified that these were pieces of virus that were most likely inactive.
‘Powdered milk for newborns is also safe’
The FDA also reassures on the safety of powdered milk and derivatives intended for infant feeding.
All samples of retail products analyzed tested negative for the PCR test, indicating “the absence of viral fragments or HPAI viruses” in formula milk and derivatives. Therefore no further testing was necessary for these samples.”
#Avian #flu #USA #controls #milk #derivatives #live #infectious #viruses
