With recent bird flu outbreaks, many wonder if everyday food items like milk and eggs pose a transmission risk. Here’s what experts say.
Amid bird flu outbreak in the US and UN body World Health Organization (WHO) confirming the presence of H5N1 bird flu strain in raw milk, concerns have been rising around consuming milk, chicken and eggs. As it has not been long since the world left behind the fears of coronavirus, the world dreads the emergence of avian influenza affecting humans. Bird flu spreads through direct contact with infected birds or their droppings; so far there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission. A person in Texas recently tested positive for avian influenza making it a second case of H5N1 bird flu in the United States, the first one being a poultry worker in Colorado in 2022. This is also the case of first human being infected by H5N1 bird flu via a cow. (Also read | Bird flu outbreak in Kerala’s Alappuzha: Should you be concerned? Symptoms, prevention tips of H5N1 flu)
Bird flu primarily spreads among birds through their saliva, faeces, and respiratory secretions(Freepik)
While the virus has been around since 1996, recent years since 2020 have seen a massive surge among birds and mammals, killing tens of millions of poultry, infections in wild birds and also land and marine mammals. However, in the recent outbreak, cows and goats have also been affected. “The case in texas is the first human infected by avian influenza by a cow,” said Wenqing Zhang, head of the global influenza programme at the World Health Organization.
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Amid spread of H5N1 influenza virus is cows and poultry, is it safe to have eggs and milk? Here’s what experts say.
“Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected birds or their droppings. The virus is not typically transmitted through consumption of properly cooked eggs or pasteurized milk. When poultry products are cooked thoroughly, the heat kills the virus, making them safe to eat. However, it’s important to practice good hygiene and ensure proper cooking and handling of poultry products to reduce any potential risk of infection. This includes washing hands thoroughly after handling raw poultry and avoiding cross-contamination with other foods,” says Dr Rahul Agarwal Consultant Internal Medicine CARE Hospitals Hitech City Hyderabad.
“With recent bird flu outbreaks, many wonder if everyday food items like milk and eggs pose a transmission risk. The good news is, contracting bird flu, also known as avian influenza, through these common breakfast staples is highly unlikely. Bird flu primarily spreads among birds through their saliva, faeces, and respiratory secretions,” says Dr Neha Rastogi Panda, Consultant-Infectious Diseases, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.
Can people get infection from eggs and milk?
While some rare human infections have occurred, these typically involve close contact with infected birds. So, can eggs or milk harbour the virus and reach you?
“Eggs go through strict regulations and hygiene protocols during production and packaging. This significantly reduces the chance of contamination. The bigger factor is how you handle them at home. Thorough cooking is key – avoid runny yolks or dishes with undercooked eggs. Always wash your hands after handling them,” says Dr Panda.
“Milk safety hinges on pasteurization, a heat treatment that destroys viruses, including bird flu. Virtually all commercially available milk undergoes this process, making it safe for consumption. Raw milk, however, is a different story. While there’s limited data on bird flu transmission through raw milk, it’s generally discouraged due to the risk of other foodborne illnesses,” adds the expert.
If you’re concerned about bird flu and your food, focus on safe handling practices. Cook eggs thoroughly and stick to pasteurized dairy products. It’s also wise to stay updated on the outbreak from reputable sources like the CDC or national health agencies.
“Remember, the risk of getting bird flu from eggs and milk is extremely low. By following basic hygiene and food safety measures, you can continue to enjoy these breakfast favourites without worry,” concludes Dr Panda.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans can once again order COVID-19 tests, without being charged, sent straight to their homes.
The U.S. government reopened the program on Thursday, allowing any household to order up to four at-home COVID nasal swab kits through the website, covidtests.gov. The tests will begin shipping, via the United States Postal Service, as soon as next week.
The website has been reopened on the heels of a summer COVID-19 virus wave and heading into the fall and winter respiratory virus season, with health officials urging Americans to get an updated COVID-19 booster and their yearly flu shot.
“Before you visit with your family and friends this holiday season, take a quick test and help keep them safe from COVID-19,” U.S. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell said in a statement.
U.S. regulators approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine that is designed to combat the recent virus strains and, they hope, forthcoming winter ones, too. Vaccine uptake is waning, however. Most Americans have some immunity from prior infections or vaccinations, but under a quarter of U.S. adults took last fall’s COVID-19 shot.
Using the swab, people can detect current virus strains ahead of the fall and winter respiratory virus season and the holidays. Over-the-counter COVID-19 at-home tests typically cost around $11, as of last year. Insurers are no longer required to cover the cost of the tests.
Before using any existing at-home COVID-19 tests, you should check the expiration date. Many of the tests have been given an extended expiration from the date listed on the box. You can check on the Food and Drug Administration’s website to see if that’s the case for any of your remaining tests at home.
Since COVID-19 first began its spread in 2020, U.S. taxpayers have poured billions of dollars into developing and purchasing COVID-19 tests as well as vaccines. The Biden administration has given out 1.8 billion COVID-19 tests, including half distributed to households by mail. It’s unclear how many tests the government still has on hand.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans can once again order free COVID-19 tests sent straight to their homes.
The U.S. government reopened the program on Thursday, allowing any household to order up to four at-home COVID nasal swab kits through the website, covidtests.gov. The tests will begin shipping, via the United States Postal Service, as soon as next week.
The website has been reopened on the heels of a summer COVID-19 virus wave and heading into the fall and winter respiratory virus season, with health officials urging Americans to get an updated COVID-19 booster and their yearly flu shot.
U.S. regulators approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine that is designed to combat the recent virus strains and, they hope, forthcoming winter ones, too. Vaccine uptake is waning, however. Most Americans have some immunity from prior infections or vaccinations, but under a quarter of U.S. adults took last fall’s COVID-19 shot.
Using the swab, people can detect current virus strains ahead of the fall and winter respiratory virus season and the holidays. Over-the-counter COVID-19 at-home tests typically cost around $11, as of last year. Insurers are no longer required to cover the cost of the tests.
Since COVID-19 first began its spread in 2020, U.S. taxpayers have poured billions of dollars into developing and purchasing COVID-19 tests as well as vaccines. The Biden administration has given out 1.8 billion COVID-19 tests, including half distributed to households by mail. It’s unclear how many tests the government still has on hand.
TORONTO – A coalition of disability rights groups says it is launching a Charter challenge against a part of Canada’s law on medical assistance in dying.
The group, which also includes two individual plaintiffs, argues that what’s known as track two of the MAID law has resulted in premature deaths.
Under the law, patients whose natural deaths are not reasonably foreseeable but whose condition leads to intolerable suffering can apply for a track-two assisted death.
The coalition says track two of the MAID law has had a direct effect on the lives of people with disabilities and argues medically assisted death should only be available to those whose natural death is reasonably foreseeable.
The executive vice-president of Inclusion Canada – which is part of the coalition – says there has been an alarming trend where people with disabilities are seeking assisted death due to social deprivation, poverty and a lack of essential supports.
Krista Carr says those individuals should instead be supported in order to live better lives.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.
