Misunderstandings during the Week: Avian Flu and Uncooked Dairy
On the 1st of April, the World Health Organization was notified of the first instance of an avian influenza (H5N1) transmission from a mammal to a human, this being a Texas cattle worker who contracted the disease from a cow infected with it. The symptoms were mild, only pink eye, but any virus jumping species, especially to humans, is concerning. Health authorities started monitoring individuals who come in contact with cattle and poultry regularly and advised those at risk to use protective equipment and report any illnesses. The virus was found in milk as well, but pasteurization destroys it, and naturally, health authorities strongly suggest against drinking raw milk. Unsurprisingly, the demand for unpasteurized "raw" milk has increased.
The discovery of milk infected with bird flu sparked an increase in sales between 21% and 65% compared to last year's sales at the same time, as revealed by NielsenIQ. Mark McAfee, the owner of Raw Farm USA in Fresno, California, explained to the Associated Press why people are feeling inclined to take this risk, "Anything that the FDA tells our customers to do, they do the opposite."
A subset of those who drink raw milk believes that it is perfectly safe. In fact, some people are even intentionally consuming potentially infected milk in the hopes of building a natural immunity. Fortunately, no one has contracted the disease from drinking milk. However, people are still taking risks: McAfee told the LA Times that his customers are requesting "H5N1 milk" because they believe it will protect them from the virus.
What's behind this desire for bird flu?
The motives behind this behavior are hard to comprehend, but those who want to catch bird flu in order to avoid catching it in the future want to expose themselves to a slightly less dangerous form of the virus to create immunity. It's a form of self-inoculation, except it's uncontrolled, untested, and potentially hazardous.
Matthew Motta, a researcher focusing on health-related misinformation at Boston University, attempts to explain this behavior, "It's not that people are uneducated or ignorant or that they don't comprehend the science... they're inclined to dismiss it based on partisan beliefs, their political identities, their religious leanings, their cultural values."
Let's discuss pasteurization, shall we?
Pasteurization is a process where milk is heated to 161°F for 15 seconds, killing the majority of bacteria, yeast, molds, and viruses present. This practice has been in use since the late 19th century, leading to a significant reduction in milk-borne illnesses. Happy old man in a tie here:
Yet, some people believe that the benefits of raw milk outweigh pasteurization's advantages. The Raw Milk Institute, a proponent of non-pasteurized milk, holds that raw milk is superior in nutritional value, helping with lactose intolerance, asthma, eczema, allergies, and much more. It's just a shame these claims are mainly supported by anecdotal "evidence," as there's no scientific research to back them up. Some hardcore raw enthusiasts demonstrate their support:
Regulations on raw milk
The legality of selling raw milk varies from state to state. As a proponent of liberty, I'd typically encourage raw milk fans, "wellness community" members, anti-FDA activists, and similar populations to drink as much unpasteurized milk as they want, even feed it to their children. But recent discoveries of bird flu in milk bring a new factor into the mix. Although there are no known cases of bird flu transmission through drinking milk and no reported cases of human-to-human transmission, both present a risk of viral mutation, potentially leading to a more contagious form of the virus.
This bacterial shift has prompted some states, like Iowa, Louisiana, and Delaware, to consider legislation permitting raw milk sales for human consumption. They claim that supporting dairy farmers and upholding "food freedom," or the idea that individuals should be able to choose what to eat, are justifications for legalizing the sale of raw milk.
Why can't people drink whatever milk they please?
I'm a freedom supporter, and I'd usually encourage raw milk advocates, fans of alternative diets, FDA skeptics, and other renegades to drink whatever milk they like. Go crazy, drink raw milk with abandon. Drench yourself in infectious disease. Scrub your colon clean with a raw milk enema. Whatever floats your boat.
However, the detection of bird flu in milk complicates matters. While there have been no reported cases of avian influenza transmission via milk consumption or spread from person to person, both possibilities exist. This increases the likelihood of a virus mutating into a larger, more contagious strain.
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Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 madness and the emphasis on wearing masks, it's doubtful that many in the raw milk community will prioritize the balance between personal freedom and public safety and adjust their habits slightly to assist others in preventing a possible death. However, it's reassuring to see that various government agencies have promptly reacted to this threat. The Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (to name a few) have all jumped into action with necessary steps such as testing livestock and people working around them, providing personal protective equipment, and establishing regulations for transporting infected livestock. These initiatives significantly reduce the likelihood of anyone having to repeatedly argue with those who claim, "I have rights," when it comes to drinking infected milk.
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In light of the increasing demand for raw milk despite warnings about bird flu contamination, some entertainment outlets have started covering the topic. For instance, a comedian joked about people requesting "H5N1 milk," mimicking the raw milk enthusiasts who believe it could offer protection. Unrelatedly, a documentary about raw milk safety and its proponents has gained traction, sparking discussions about the benefits and risks associated with consuming unpasteurized milk.
