United States: A California dairy farm has recalled more of its raw milk and cream after health officials found bird flu in more milk samples. The farm, Raw Farm LLC, has now recalled all whole milk and cream products with “use by” dates from Nov. 27 to Dec. 13. To keep people safe, California health officials have also quarantined the farm.
“While Raw Farm is only initiating a voluntary recall on raw whole milk and cream because of multiple bird flu detections in the company’s operation, the California Department of Public Health [CDPH] advises that consumers avoid using any of its products for human consumption that has not been pasteurized, including raw milk, raw cream, raw cheese, and raw kefir, and raw milk topper/pet food that is marketed to owners as a treat for
As reported by the HealthDay, besides the statewide recall that is still voluntary, CDFA the California Department of Agriculture has quarantined the farm which means that no new distribution of the raw milk together with cream, kefir, butter and cheese products produced from November 27 onwards can occur, the agency said.
So far, the CDPH said that there were no reported human bird flu cases associated with the consumption of raw milk products.
Pasturized milk on the other hand has been through heat treatment and thus eliminate any viruses that may be in the milk.
The latest actions came after two lots of Raw Farm products had been recalled after bird flu was detected on samples of raw milk on November 24.
Bird flu, or H5N1 recently emerged in the us dairy cows in March of this year. Since then the virus has been on the move within the country specifically to California where almost half of the over 700 infected herds in the country have been reported as having been infected, according to the Associated Press.
To date 58 confirmed human cases of the virus have occurred across the United States out of which 31 have been identified in California, as reported by the U.S. Centre for Disease Control and prevention.
Poultry workers who come into direct contact with contaminated birds or dairy workers who handle infected animals list mild symptoms which include flu like illness. Currently, the stringency of agency also says two voices transmitted of avian flu between people has not identified yet.
Raw Farm officials which posted a statement on the website indicated they were importing raw milk supply.