Shocking Truth: Bird Flu (H5N1) Virus Can Survive In Raw Milk for Up to 5 Days

Stop! do not drink that raw milk you have kept in your refrigerator a day back. A recent research has revealed that Bird Flu H5N1 virus can survive in raw milk for up to 5 days!

New Delhi, 19 December 2024: In a recent research, experts have warned against drinking refrigerated raw milk, saying it could be home to highly contagious and lethal H5N1 virus (also known as bird flu). "It is foolish to drink raw milk because it may contain several bacteria, some of which can cause serious diseases," warned Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, a gastroenterologist and convener of the Scientific Community in Kochi, Kerala.

According to a new Stanford study, influenza or flu virus remains infectious in refrigerated raw milk for up to five days. The findings come at a time when outbreaks of bird flu - a different subtype of the same influenza virus - in daily cattle have raised concerns about the potential for a new pandemic.

As experts describe it, raw milk is the unpasteurized form of the drink. Pasteurisation the process that involves heating milk to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter helps your milk stay out of danger of causing or carrying pathogens or bacteria. However, when you drink the raw form of milk, you eventually drink milk that is contaminated with harmful bacteria.

Why Indians Are At Higher Risk?

India is the largest producer and consumer of milk globally, with dairy being an integral part of Indian diets. From the early morning cup of chai to the preparation of desserts and curd, milk is indispensable. A significant portion of the population, especially in rural areas, relies on raw milk sourced directly from local farms.

Raw milk is perceived as wholesome and nutritious due to its lack of processing. Many believe it retains beneficial enzymes, probiotics, and vitamins that may be lost during pasteurization. However, this traditional practice comes with risks, especially in light of zoonotic diseases like avian influenza.

Drinking Raw Milk: The Growing Social Media TREND

"Proponents of raw milk consumption claim that pasteurisation destroys beneficial nutrients and enzymes, making raw milk a "healthier" option. However, social media is rife with influencers showcasing raw milk and its supposed benefits, from aiding digestion to strengthening the immune system. But this foolish act can have some serious impact on the body," Dr Vidya Bagchi, Belle Vue Hospitals, told TheHealthSite.com.

Talking about the dangerous things that may happen when one consumes raw milk daily, Dr Bagchi said, "A recent study has outlined how the H5N1 virus, that causes bird flu, can survive in raw milk for days."

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a viral infection primarily affecting birds but capable of infecting humans and other animals under certain conditions. The H5N1 strain is particularly concerning due to its high mortality rate in humans and its ability to persist in various environments.

How Does H5N1 Affect Humans?

What happens within the human body after contracting H5N1 virus? Humans typically contract H5N1 through direct contact with infected birds, their droppings, or contaminated environments. However, the virus can also spread through the consumption of contaminated food products, including raw or undercooked poultry and milk. Once, infected, the patient may develop serious symptoms such as fever accompanied by chills, a runny nose, pain in muscles, etc.

The Risk in Milk: Studies have shown that the H5N1 virus can survive in refrigerated environments, such as raw milk stored in fridges, for up to five days. This means that even if milk appears fresh and uncontaminated, it could harbour the virus if sourced from infected animals.

The Food and Drug Administration has tied raw milk to over 200 outbreaks of illness, and - together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - warns that germs such as E.coli, and Salmonella, in raw milk present "serious" health risks, especially for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

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