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Refrigerated raw milk harbors infectious flu virus for 5 days, study finds


Published on 2024-12-14 07:22:18 - MSN
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  • Raw milk, hailed by some as a natural and nutritious alternative to pasteurized dairy, may come with hidden dangers, according to a new Stanford University study. The research, published December 12 in Environmental Science & Technology Letters reveals that influenza or flu virus can remain infectious in refrigerated raw milk for up to five days.

A recent study published in the journal Eurosurveillance has revealed that the influenza virus can remain infectious in refrigerated raw milk for up to five days. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison conducted experiments where they inoculated raw cow's milk with the H5N1 virus, a highly pathogenic avian influenza strain. The findings indicate that the virus not only survives but retains its infectivity at typical refrigeration temperatures, posing potential risks for zoonotic transmission. This discovery underscores the importance of pasteurization, which effectively inactivates the virus, highlighting the dangers associated with consuming unpasteurized milk, especially during outbreaks of influenza in animal populations.

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