Infectious diseases|In the experiment, mice were given raw milk from cows infected with the H5N1 virus, after which they developed symptoms and high virus levels.
Bird flu infection the unpasteurized milk of cows that received sick mice in experiments, says In the New England Journal of Medicine published research.
The research was informed by its funder US Department of Health (NIH) and reported on it, among other things The New York Times (NOW).
Unprocessed milk from cows carrying H5N1 bird flu caused typical inflammatory symptoms in mice. In autopsies, the virus was found in the respiratory organs and several other organs of the mice.
Bird flu H5N1 has spread in the spring on dozens of US ranches.
So far, the virus has been detected on 52 different cattle farms in nine different states, according to the NIH.
In addition to cows, the virus has also been found in two employees of cattle farms.
In the new in the study, five mice were given a few drops of virus-contaminated milk.
The mice showed signs of the disease, including matted fur and drowsiness, already on the first day of the experiment.
The animals were sacrificed after four days, and autopsies showed high levels of virus in the respiratory tract and moderate levels in several other organs.
Score add to the evidence that untreated milk containing the virus may also be dangerous to other mammals – including humans.
“Don’t drink raw milk – it is [tutkimuksen] message”, the virologist who led the study Yoshihiro Kawaoka told The New York Times.
The study also tested at what temperature and time the virus is destroyed. The virus was found to die when treated at 63 degrees Celsius.
However, the researchers emphasize that the experimental treatment does not compare to commercial pasteurization of milk, i.e. heat treatment.
The greater part Milk sold in the United States is pasteurized.
According to NYT, the US Food and Drug Administration has taken samples of milk sold in grocery stores. Remains of the bird flu virus have been found in 20 percent of them.
However, the samples have not contained an infectious virus. The authorities have stated that it is safe to drink pasteurized milk.
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