#18,476
On Sunday I carried a brief mention that the Marin County Health Dept. was investigating a second Bay Area child with suspected H5 infection, and at that time there was no known risk exposure. According to both the California and CDC case lists, this case remains unconfirmed.Late yesterday the Marin county HHS announced that they were investigating a suspected avian flu infection in a sick child (who tested positive for influenza A), who also reportedly consumed raw milk.
Lacking a positive H5 test (which - depending on the timing, and viral load - can be difficult to obtain) this is something less than a slam dunk. But it does raise concerns.
The `raw milk' movement in the United States continues to grow, despite ample evidence of its dangers. A 2022 study published in the Journal of Food Protection reported that:
Results show that 4.4% of U.S. adults reported consuming raw milk at least once in the past year, with 1.6% reporting frequent consumption of raw milk (once per month or more often) and 1.0% reporting consumption once per week or more often.
Which suggests that several million people in the United States regularly consume raw milk, a practice that becomes increasingly problematic with avian flu detected in dairy herds in at least 16 states.
We may never know if this child actually had H5 influenza (although serological tests might yield further evidence), but there is apparently enough of an index of suspicion to warrant the following warning:
Health Officials Warn Against Consuming Raw Milk
Flu A detected in child who became sick after drinking raw milk. No person-to-person spread of the virus has been detected or is suspected; Risk to public remains low.
December 10, 2024
News Release
Health and Human ServicesBody of News Release
San Rafael, CA – Marin County Public Health (MCPH) strong advises people not to consume any raw milk products. MCPH is reporting a suspected case of bird flu in a child who experienced fever and vomiting after drinking raw milk. The child has recovered, and no other family members became sick, indicating no person-to person transmission.
MCPH is actively investigating this possible case of bird flu linked to raw milk consumption with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
On December 6, CDPH issued an alert[External] to health care providers to evaluate and test for human avian flu (H5N1) in people who develop flu-like symptoms after consuming raw milk. Due to widespread transmission of bird flu among wild birds, significant outbreaks among dairy cows, and sporadic human cases.
“Bird flu infections in humans are uncommon but there are ongoing outbreaks in dairy cattle and poultry farms in the United States,” said Dr. Lisa Santora, Marin County’s Public Health Officer, “The risk to the public remains low, as bird flu spread from person to person is rare.”
There have been 32 confirmed cases of bird flu reported in California this year. Most bird flu detections in the U.S. have been in poultry and dairy workers who were exposed to sick animals, but sporadic cases are expected.
Human, animal, and environmental health are connected. This possible case of bird flu linked to raw milk consumption highlights the importance of understanding how diseases can spread from animals to humans, especially through food. Raw milk, which hasn't been pasteurized poses a risk of spreading diseases, including influenza. Exposure to food-borne bacteria and viruses can make anyone sick, but they are especially dangerous for people with weak immune systems, as well as children, older adults, and pregnant women.
Health care providers should consider avian influenza A (H5N1) in persons with fever, gastrointestinal, respiratory symptoms and/or conjunctivitis with recent consumption of raw milk products or exposure to animals suspected or confirmed to have avian influenza. They should contact MCPH immediately for technical assistance on collecting respiratory specimens (nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs) for testing.
“We thank the teams at Napa-Solano-Yolo-Marin County Public Health Laboratory, CDPH and CDC for their prompt response, support and guidance,” Santora said.For the latest information on the county’s bird flu response, visit MCPH’s Bird Flu (H5N1) page.
For the latest information on the state’s bird flu response, visit CDPH’s Current Bird Flu Situation[External].
For the latest information on the national bird flu response, visit CDC's Bird Flu Response Update[External].