A new paper has been published which takes a deep dive into examining all the evidence related to transmission of bird flu via raw milk consumption.
There is a "lack of scientific evidence" that bird flu can be transmitted through drinking raw milk.
Despite this lack of evidence, "Serious errors in extrapolation are apparent in the treatment of evidence for H5N1 in the media and some journal papers that unintentionally or intentionally amplify risk."
The paper goes on to say that, when the "extensive body of experimental and observational evidence" is considered, it is clear that:
Transmission of H5N1 to humans is "rare and sporadic" and happens" by direct contact of dairy workers with infected animals, not by oral transmission."
The paper finds that, overall, the messaging about risks of raw milk are unbalanced and do not reflect the body of scientific evidence. “The wisdom of continuing to promote risk perceptions that raw milk is ‘inherently dangerous’ and there is no ‘downside’ to pasteurizing breastmilk and bovine milk also merits deliberation. These risk perceptions are based on factors other than the recent scientific evidence for benefits and risk of raw and pasteurized milks from humans and bovines.
“While concern about avian influenza A mutations and reassortments are warranted, the pandemic potential of H5N1, lacking person-to-person and aerosol transmission as main drivers of pandemic potential has not increased since the first avian cases were reported in 1996.”
The full paper can be read here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/risa.70077
Thanks to RAWMI Advisory Board member Peg Coleman for continuing to analyze ALL of the evidence so that families, farmers, and lawmakers can make informed decisions.