Raw milk fans called warnings "fear mongering," despite 52% fatality rate in humans.
  • Ghostalmedia@lemmy.worldEnglish
    25·
    1 year ago

    This is what the FDA says

    Raw Milk/Cheese Concerns

    **Are there concerns about HPAI and raw, unpasteurized milk? **

    Based on the limited research and information available, we do not know at this time if HPAI A (H5N1) viruses can be transmitted through consumption of unpasteurized (raw) milk and products (such as cheese) made from raw milk from infected cows. However, we have long known that raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms (germs) that can pose serious health risks to consumers. According to the CDC, from 1998 through 2018, there were 202 outbreaks linked to drinking raw milk, resulting in 2,645 illnesses and 228 hospitalizations. These outbreaks have typically been caused by the presence of bacteria such as Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Salmonella, or Listeria monocytogenes in the raw milk. For more information about how consumers can protect themselves from these risks see our website: Raw Milk.

    • Kowowow@lemmy.ca
      16·
      1 year ago

      Weren’t there cats showing signs of infection from drinking the milk like blindness and what not?

    • protist@mander.xyzEnglish
      4·
      1 year ago

      The possibility of bacterial growth in unpasteurized milk is without question, but this clearly states there is no known evidence that flu virus can be passed through raw milk. So why are there official warnings being issued about this? I want to be clear I don’t think drinking raw milk is a good idea, but I also want the public to trust our institutions, and putting out a warning based on zero evidence doesn’t foster trust

      • usernamesAreTricky@lemmy.ml
        17·
        1 year ago

        It’s not zero evidence, it’s just not 100% certain. There have had known H5N1 infections in other mammals consuming raw milk that spilled. Many of them have died from it. Additionally, the testing that has happened shows that 1 in 5 US dairy samples are positive for H5N1 so it’s prevelence is rather high making there be a very real risk

      • 4am@lemm.ee
        11·
        1 year ago

        Zero evidence doesn’t mean it’s safe - zero evidence means we don’t know.

        I’m sure it’s being looked into, but why would “go ahead, take a chance!” be the trustworthy take?