Achi news desk-
GUWAHATI: In a major announcement on Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed the discovery of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza virus in significant quantities in raw milk obtained from infected animals. While the survival time of the virus in milk remains unknown, this finding sheds light on the evolving nature of avian influenza outbreaks.
Originating in 1996, avian influenza A(H5N1) initially emerged, but recent years have seen a marked increase in outbreaks among birds, accompanied by an increasing number of infections in mammals. Tens of millions of poultry succumbed to the disease, alongside infections observed in wild birds, land mammals and marine life.
Click here to join our WhatsApp channel
Unexpectedly, cows and goats were added to the list of affected animals, surprising experts who previously thought they were not susceptible to this strain of influenza. Laboratory tests have confirmed bird flu infections among some cows, according to media reports.
Wenqing Zhang, head of the global influenza program at WHO, highlighted the significance of these developments during a media briefing in Geneva. Zhang highlighted cases of bird-to-cow, cow-to-cow, and cow-to-bird transmission, suggesting new pathways for virus transmission.
These events point to an alarming trend of spillover of viruses to mammals. It should be noted that the virus was detected in milk obtained from infected animals, which raises concerns about its transmission through dairy products.
Also Read: Adultery is no ground for denying custody of children, says Bombay High Court
Experts continue to investigate how long the virus survives in milk while assuring that infected cattle do not pose a threat to the commercial milk supply. Strict measures, including disposal of milk from sick cows and pasteurization, effectively reduce the risk of transmission of viruses through dairy products.
Zhang stressed the importance of safe food practices, urging consumers to choose pasteurized milk and dairy products to reduce the risk of contamination.
