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Pasteurisation kills avian flu viruses, study finds
Avian flu has been detected in cattle in more than 80 herds in the USA.
Researchers recommend avoiding raw milk from infected areas.

Pasteurisation of milk can effectively kill influenza viruses, including the H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza, a new government-funded study has shown.

However, unpasteurised milk was found to carry the H5N1 strain, leading the researchers to warn people not to consume unpasteurised milk from areas where there are outbreaks of the disease in cattle.

The study was carried out in response to the ongoing outbreak of the H5N1 strain in dairy cattle in the USA, which so far has seen the virus detected in more than 80 herds across the country, and three dairy workers contract the disease.

The researchers tested a range of different influenza viruses, including avian influenza A viruses and influenza D viruses (which naturally affect cattle). They found that when added to milk, pasteurising temperatures of 63°C and 72°C were enough to inactivate the viruses, although genetic material from the H5N1 strain did remain detectable.

The study is still to be peer-reviewed, but its findings are similar to research conducted in the USA at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.

Ian Brown, leader of the Avian Virology Group at The Pirbright Institute, said: “Whilst infection with high pathogenicity avian influenza virus in dairy cattle is confined to the USA it is important we support global efforts to better understand the disease, the risks it presents to the public and its control.

“This study on pasteurisation provides important information that underpins disease preparedness and response beyond the USA, should it be required.”

Ed Hutchinson, senior lecturer at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research and the corresponding author of the study, added: “Raw milk is already known to carry a variety of pathogens, and we would particularly caution people against drinking it in areas where cattle might be infected with H5N1 influenza.

“Human infections with H5N1 influenza viruses can be very dangerous, and they also give the virus more opportunities to adapt to growing in humans with the chance of becoming able to transmit to humans. Pasteurisation of milk in affected areas is a good way to minimise these risks.”

The research was a collaboration between the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, The Pirbright Institute, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

It was funded by the Medical Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Wellcome, and the Scottish and Welsh governments.

The study is currently available as a preprint article.

Image © Shutterstock

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FIVP Practice Matters podcast returns for Series 2

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) has announced that its podcast, FIVP Practice Matters, will be returning for a second series next year.

The bi-weekly podcast will return on Tuesday, 14 January 2025 with an episode on sustainability with Alison Lambert. The second series will include a range of new and familiar guests sharing veterinary initiatives and news from independent practices.

The podcast is available on Spotify and will now also be released on Apple Podcasts. More details about FIVP and the podcast can be found on its website

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Further cases of H5N1 confirmed in Norfolk

APHA has officially confirmed that two more cases of H5N1 have been found on premises in Norfolk.

Testing confirmed that highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was present at premises near Attleborough, as well as premises near Hingham in South Norfolk. The case near Hingham follows a slaughter on suspicion which was declared on 23 December.

A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been implemented at each premises, and all the poultry on each premises will be humanely culled.

A third case has also been identified near Beverley in East Riding of Yorkshire.

APHA is reminding bird keepers to remain vigilant and follow biosecurity measures to prevent more outbreaks. Details on the current disease control zones and biosecurity guidance can be found on the APHA website.