Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Farmers are high tech these days.

April 20, 2024
By Linda Qiu

Loren Brey, (click here) a poultry grower in Minnesota, walked onto the farm where his egg-laying turkeys nest in November to discover a handful of hens, dead from the highly pathogenic avian flu.

Within a week, he lost nearly half of his entire flock.

So when Mr. Brey’s turkeys began producing eggs again in the spring, he gave a seemingly unconventional prevention method a go: lasers installed atop his barns, firing beams of green light to fend off wild ducks, owls and other possible carriers of the deadly virus....

There are bird flu vaccines for humans, but they aren’t available to the public right now.  (click here)

There are currently several states that not only have some farmers frantic about protecting their flocks, but, also cow herds are experiencing the virus. Out of that comes a concern for the milk produced by these herds. There is a concern. It is legitimate, but, there is a precaution that all Americans can understand and heed.

DO NOT USE RAW MILK PRODUCTS.

That is the concern and the warning. The pasteurized milk does not contain the avian virus.

This is not an "inject bleach" issue. The scientists at the FDA are aware of the problems and are addressing each one. They do not believe any transmission of the avian flu will occur once the milk has been pasturized.

April 23, 2024
By Brenda Goodman

The US Food and Drug Administration (click here) said Tuesday that it had detected viral particles of H5N1 avian influenza in milk purchased at grocery stores, but the agency says it still believes that the milk is safe to drink.

In an update about an ongoing outbreak of bird flu in cattle, the FDA noted that it believes the viral particles were detected by highly sensitive lab tests and are likely to have been remnants of viruses killed during the pasteurization process. The agency said that it does not think it is likely that the particles would able to infect people but it is conducting additional tests to be completely sure....

From the CDC site:

...The best way (click here) to prevent bird flu is to avoid sources of exposure whenever possible. Infected birds shed avian influenza viruses in their saliva, mucous, and feces and other infected animals may shed bird flu viruses in respiratory secretions and other body fluids (e.g., cow milk)....

...Cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses, including bird flu viruses. People should separate uncooked (raw) poultry from cooked foods and foods that won’t be cooked. Cook all poultry and poultry products (including eggs) all the way before eating. More information about safe handling and cooking of poultry can be found here: Chicken and Food Poisoning | CDC...