New Jersey officials have recently issued a warning regarding the current outbreak of the H5N1 virus in the country, which has spread from birds to herds of cattle in several states. Although New Jersey has not reported any cases yet, states like North Carolina and Ohio have confirmed outbreaks, prompting officials to urge residents to remain vigilant.
The H5N1 virus was first detected in dairy cows in Texas at the end of March. Since then, the virus has spread to nine states. While New Jersey has not reported any cases so far, officials emphasize that despite the different migratory patterns of birds in the East and West, this does not guarantee that cows in the new state are free from the virus.
The State Department of Agriculture and Health has issued strong recommendations urging residents to avoid consuming raw milk or feeding it to pets as it is crucial because raw milk may carry the H5N1 virus, which can only be killed through pasteurization (heat treatment). Ed Wengryn, the State Department of Agriculture Director, stated that this is the only method to kill the virus as H5N1 is heat-sensitive. Once killed by high temperatures, it will no longer be infectious.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reassured the public that commercial milk supply is safe as the products undergo pasteurization before being sold. However, there are still significant risks associated with drinking raw milk. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported a human infection case.
New Jersey State Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston emphasized that individuals of any age may become infected after consuming raw milk or raw milk products; particularly, children under 5, elderly individuals over 65, and those with weakened immune systems are most likely to develop severe illness.
Feeding raw milk to pets is also dangerous. In a Texas farm, several cats died after consuming raw milk from infected cows. Officials warned that since milk circulates and is marketed nationwide, the raw milk sold in pet food may not necessarily come from virus-free farms.
To contain the spread of the virus, the federal government issued an order in late April requiring lactating cows to undergo H5N1 virus testing before crossing state lines.
The current situation in New Jersey remains uncertain, highlighting the importance of staying vigilant. Residents must avoid consuming raw milk, report any suspicious cases promptly to authorities, and prevent further spread of the H5N1 virus. ◇