Questions and Answers Regarding Milk Safety During Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Outbreaks
March 29, 2024
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is closely working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state partners to investigate an illness among older dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, and Michigan that is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms.
As of Friday, March 29, the agencies confirmed the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in two dairy herds in Texas, two dairy herds in Kansas and one dairy her in Michigan that had recently received cows from Texas. HPAI was detected in unpasteurized samples of milk and swabs taken for diagnosis of sick cattle on the dairy farms in Texas, Kansas and Michigan. Testing is also underway for two herds in New Mexico and two additional herds in Texas. These samples were submitted as part of an investigation into illness among primarily older dairy cows that is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms. However, these detections are also appearing in some younger lactating cows. Testing is underway for additional dairy herds in New Mexico, Texas, and Idaho which have cows exhibiting similar signs of illness.
At this time, there continues to be no concern about the safety of the interstate commercial milk supply because products are pasteurized before entering the market, or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health.
Only milk from heathy animals is authorized for distribution into interstate commerce for human consumption. Additionally, pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. Pasteurization is required for any milk entering interstate commerce. Milk from impacted animals is being diverted or destroyed so that it does not enter the human food supply. Milk loss resulting from symptomatic cattle to date is too limited to have a major impact on supply and there should be no impact on the price of milk or other dairy products. The FDA will continue to work with our partners and provide updates as necessary.
More information about the detections, as well as information about biosecurity measures producers can take to protect their animals from HPAI is available at USDA, FDA and CDC Share Update on HPAI Detections in Dairy Cattle | USDA-APHIS.
The FDA will continue to work with our partners and provide updates as necessary.
On this page:
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
What is HPAI and why is it a problem?
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a highly contagious and often deadly disease of poultry, caused by the avian influenza virus also known as bird or avian flu. HPAI can be transmitted by wild birds to domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Although bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans, sporadic human infections have occurred. It is important to note that “highly pathogenic” refers to severe impact in birds, not necessarily in humans. Milk Safety and Supply
Is the milk available in the retail market safe to drink?
The FDA does not currently have concerns about the safety and availability of pasteurized milk products nationwide. Pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk and is required for any milk entering interstate commerce. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates on our website if necessary.
Is this situation impacting the availability of milk?
At this time, milk loss resulting from symptomatic cattle is too limited to have a major impact on supply and there should be no impact on the price of milk or other dairy products. The FDA is not aware that this incident is impacting the availability of pasteurized milk products nationwide. We will continue to monitor the supply chain impacts and will update this page as necessary.
What about cheese sold at retail?
Again, the FDA does not currently have concerns about the safety and availability of pasteurized milk products, including pasteurized cheese, sold nationwide. Pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk and milk products such as cheese. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates on our website if necessary. Also, see questions regarding cheese made from raw/unpasteurized milk. 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 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) 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 Raw Milk.
Because of the limited information available about the transmission of HPAI in raw milk, the FDA recommends that industry does not manufacture or sell raw milk or raw milk cheese products made with milk from cows showing symptoms of illness, including those infected with avian influenza or exposed to those infected with avian influenza.
Additionally, as it is prohibited to sell raw milk for human consumption in interstate commerce, each state has its own regulations regarding the sale and distribution of raw milk within the state. Therefore, we defer questions or concerns about raw milk to the state authorities in which the raw milk is sold.
What about raw, unpasteurized cheese that has undergone aging?
FDA regulations require a 60-day aging process for unpasteurized cheese to ensure food safety, as the aging process is important to inactivate bacteria and viruses. However, because we have limited research and information on whether HPAI can be transmitted through raw milk or raw milk products, such as cheese, the FDA recommends that industry does not manufacture or sell raw milk or raw/unpasteurized milk cheese products made with milk from cows showing symptoms of illness, including those infected with HPAI or exposed to those infected with avian influenza, even if the cheese will undergo the 60-day aging process.
Do consumers need to do anything different to protect against HPAI in food?
At this time, the FDA is not aware that any milk or milk products from symptomatic cows is entering interstate commerce as milk from impacted animals is being diverted or destroyed so that it does not enter the human food supply. Additionally, pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. Pasteurization is required for any milk entering interstate commerce. FDA’s longstanding position is that unpasteurized, raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms that can pose serious health risks to consumers, and FDA is reminding consumers of the risks associated with raw milk consumption in light of the HPAI detections. Safe food handling and preparation is always important and more information about best practices can be found at Safe Food Handling. Industry Involvement
Is there anything more that dairies should be doing at this time to protect the food supply?
Farms should continue to monitor their dairy cows for signs of illness to ensure that milk from sick cows does not enter into interstate commerce. Producers that identify illness in their cows should work with the State Animal Health Official's officeExternal Link Disclaimer to submit samples for diagnostic testing.
Is there anything more dairies should be doing at this time to protect their dairy cows?
It is critically important that farmers practice good biosecurity measures and contact their Area Veterinarian in Charge and/or State Animal Health OfficialExternal Link Disclaimer with concerns about preventing HPAI. Additional general information about biosecurity on dairies precautions are available at Enhanced Biosecurity Training | Secure Milk SupplyExternal Link Disclaimer. Producers should continue to closely monitor their cattle for illness, including decline in milk production, and immediately separate sick animals. Milk from these cows should be discarded. If this milk is intended to be used to feed calves, FDA strongly encourages that it be pasteurized or otherwise heat treated to kill harmful bacteria or viruses, including influenza before it is fed. Federal Government Response
Which federal agencies are involved with this response?
The USDA-APHIS is leading this response from the animal health perspective while coordinating closely with FDA concerning milk and animal feed safety, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who is monitoring this incident from a disease control and prevention aspect. For additional information, see USDA, FDA and CDC Share Update on HPAI Detections in Dairy Cattle | USDA-APHIS.
- Content current as of:
03/29/2024 - Regulated Product(s)
- Food & Beverages
- Milk/Milk Product
March 29, 2024
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is closely working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state partners to investigate an illness among older dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, and Michigan that is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms.
As of Friday, March 29, the agencies confirmed the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in two dairy herds in Texas, two dairy herds in Kansas and one dairy her in Michigan that had recently received cows from Texas. HPAI was detected in unpasteurized samples of milk and swabs taken for diagnosis of sick cattle on the dairy farms in Texas, Kansas and Michigan. Testing is also underway for two herds in New Mexico and two additional herds in Texas. These samples were submitted as part of an investigation into illness among primarily older dairy cows that is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms. However, these detections are also appearing in some younger lactating cows. Testing is underway for additional dairy herds in New Mexico, Texas, and Idaho which have cows exhibiting similar signs of illness.
At this time, there continues to be no concern about the safety of the interstate commercial milk supply because products are pasteurized before entering the market, or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health.
Only milk from heathy animals is authorized for distribution into interstate commerce for human consumption. Additionally, pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. Pasteurization is required for any milk entering interstate commerce. Milk from impacted animals is being diverted or destroyed so that it does not enter the human food supply. Milk loss resulting from symptomatic cattle to date is too limited to have a major impact on supply and there should be no impact on the price of milk or other dairy products. The FDA will continue to work with our partners and provide updates as necessary.
More information about the detections, as well as information about biosecurity measures producers can take to protect their animals from HPAI is available at USDA, FDA and CDC Share Update on HPAI Detections in Dairy Cattle | USDA-APHIS.
The FDA will continue to work with our partners and provide updates as necessary.
On this page:
- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
- Milk Safety and Supply
- Raw Milk/Cheese Concerns
- Industry Involvement
- Federal Government Response
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
What is HPAI and why is it a problem?
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a highly contagious and often deadly disease of poultry, caused by the avian influenza virus also known as bird or avian flu. HPAI can be transmitted by wild birds to domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Although bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans, sporadic human infections have occurred. It is important to note that “highly pathogenic” refers to severe impact in birds, not necessarily in humans. Milk Safety and Supply
Is the milk available in the retail market safe to drink?
The FDA does not currently have concerns about the safety and availability of pasteurized milk products nationwide. Pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk and is required for any milk entering interstate commerce. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates on our website if necessary.
Is this situation impacting the availability of milk?
At this time, milk loss resulting from symptomatic cattle is too limited to have a major impact on supply and there should be no impact on the price of milk or other dairy products. The FDA is not aware that this incident is impacting the availability of pasteurized milk products nationwide. We will continue to monitor the supply chain impacts and will update this page as necessary.
What about cheese sold at retail?
Again, the FDA does not currently have concerns about the safety and availability of pasteurized milk products, including pasteurized cheese, sold nationwide. Pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk and milk products such as cheese. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates on our website if necessary. Also, see questions regarding cheese made from raw/unpasteurized milk. 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 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) 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 Raw Milk.
Because of the limited information available about the transmission of HPAI in raw milk, the FDA recommends that industry does not manufacture or sell raw milk or raw milk cheese products made with milk from cows showing symptoms of illness, including those infected with avian influenza or exposed to those infected with avian influenza.
Additionally, as it is prohibited to sell raw milk for human consumption in interstate commerce, each state has its own regulations regarding the sale and distribution of raw milk within the state. Therefore, we defer questions or concerns about raw milk to the state authorities in which the raw milk is sold.
What about raw, unpasteurized cheese that has undergone aging?
FDA regulations require a 60-day aging process for unpasteurized cheese to ensure food safety, as the aging process is important to inactivate bacteria and viruses. However, because we have limited research and information on whether HPAI can be transmitted through raw milk or raw milk products, such as cheese, the FDA recommends that industry does not manufacture or sell raw milk or raw/unpasteurized milk cheese products made with milk from cows showing symptoms of illness, including those infected with HPAI or exposed to those infected with avian influenza, even if the cheese will undergo the 60-day aging process.
Do consumers need to do anything different to protect against HPAI in food?
At this time, the FDA is not aware that any milk or milk products from symptomatic cows is entering interstate commerce as milk from impacted animals is being diverted or destroyed so that it does not enter the human food supply. Additionally, pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. Pasteurization is required for any milk entering interstate commerce. FDA’s longstanding position is that unpasteurized, raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms that can pose serious health risks to consumers, and FDA is reminding consumers of the risks associated with raw milk consumption in light of the HPAI detections. Safe food handling and preparation is always important and more information about best practices can be found at Safe Food Handling. Industry Involvement
Is there anything more that dairies should be doing at this time to protect the food supply?
Farms should continue to monitor their dairy cows for signs of illness to ensure that milk from sick cows does not enter into interstate commerce. Producers that identify illness in their cows should work with the State Animal Health Official's officeExternal Link Disclaimer to submit samples for diagnostic testing.
Is there anything more dairies should be doing at this time to protect their dairy cows?
It is critically important that farmers practice good biosecurity measures and contact their Area Veterinarian in Charge and/or State Animal Health OfficialExternal Link Disclaimer with concerns about preventing HPAI. Additional general information about biosecurity on dairies precautions are available at Enhanced Biosecurity Training | Secure Milk SupplyExternal Link Disclaimer. Producers should continue to closely monitor their cattle for illness, including decline in milk production, and immediately separate sick animals. Milk from these cows should be discarded. If this milk is intended to be used to feed calves, FDA strongly encourages that it be pasteurized or otherwise heat treated to kill harmful bacteria or viruses, including influenza before it is fed. Federal Government Response
Which federal agencies are involved with this response?
The USDA-APHIS is leading this response from the animal health perspective while coordinating closely with FDA concerning milk and animal feed safety, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who is monitoring this incident from a disease control and prevention aspect. For additional information, see USDA, FDA and CDC Share Update on HPAI Detections in Dairy Cattle | USDA-APHIS.
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