Bird Flu Concerns: Potential Transmission to Humans from Milk and Eggs Explained by Experts

The American and the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the presence of the H5N1 bird flu strain in unpasteurized milk. As a result, there is a need to have second thoughts while taking milk products. Reminders of the COVID 19 pandemic that has just passed is still occupying thought space, and possibilities of avian influenza in humans. The pathway through which bird flu is transferred is mainly direct contact with the infected birds or their excrement. No proof that humans can cross this disease from one person to another has been provided. In the latest scenario, a person in Texas has been detected with H5N1 bird flu, which is the second case of this type of bird flu in the U.S. with the first one being the worker in a Colorado poultry. In fact, this can be considered a historical fact as a human gets a H5N1 bird flu from a cow for the first time.

The rapid spread of the virus first began in 1996, however, more cases involving wild birds and animals have been reported in recent years, particularly in 2020, resulting in the death of tens of million of poultry and infection in wild birds, marine and terrestrial mammals. However, the most recent diseases also infect cows and goats. Eating undercooked poultry products is a leading cause of avian influenza, the head of the global influenza programme at the World Health Organization said: "The case in Texas is the first human infected by avian influenza from a cow."

As the H5N1 influenza virus affecting cows and poultry is increasingly rampant, there is an alarm rise in the issue of the safety towards the consumption of milk and eggs. Experts do give an assurance in this question though. Dr. Rahul Agarwal, an Internal Medicine Consultant at CARE Hospitals, Hitech City, Hyderabad, said that the transmission of the bird flu primarily occurs through the direct contact with infected birds or their excreta. But, the bird flu is unlikely to transmit through properly cooked eggs or pasteurized milk. By fully cooking the products of poultry, you can eliminate the virus and hence these foods are safe for consumption.

Dr. Neha Rastogi Panda, a consultant for Infectious Diseases at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram, India, added that though the recent flu outbreak has a negative impact on the poultry population, the chances of common food items like milk and eggs are very low. Proper handling, cooking and storage are also necessary to minimize the transmission of food borne diseases. Eggs need to go through rigorous regulations and hygiene practices to reduce the risk of contamination that could occur at any stage, from production process to packaging. First-rate egg cooking as well as frequently washing your hands after touching eggs are really important to provide food safety.

While the production of beef can be contaminated from the bird flu through the consumption by cattle of contaminated feed, the pasteurization in milk is critical because it eliminates viruses, including the bird flu virus. Commercial milk brands go through this pasteurization process and thus, it reaches the consumers hazard free. On the other hand, raw milk creates a different situation, since the transmission of the influenza virus toward birds through it is little known and it is generally recommended not to drink it because of the risk of other foodborne illnesses.

It could be summed up that the risk of getting either bird flu from eggs or milk is very unlikely if consumers follow standard food hygiene and security precautions. Through the use of proper cooking techniques, such as thoroughly cooking eggs, by using pasteurized dairy products, and regularly keeping up with the outbreaks that originate from reliable sources, people can still savour their favourite breakfast staples without worrying excessively.