medRxiv,<\/a><\/em> the non-peer-reviewed research was conducted by a team of UK scientists who studied the stability of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in raw cow and sheep milk. The study\u2019s findings come amid growing concern about the virus\u2019s spread in U.S. dairy herds since late 2023.<\/p>\n\u201cHigh viral titres were detected in milk from infected cows, raising concerns about onwards human infections,\u201d the authors wrote. \u201cAlthough pasteurisation was shown to effectively inactivate influenza viruses in milk, unpasteurised milk still poses a risk of infection, both from occupational exposure in dairies and from the consumption of raw milk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since its emergence in U.S. dairy cattle, H5N1 has been detected in more than a thousand cattle herds, various mammal species, dozens of dairy workers, and several individuals with no direct contact with infected animals.<\/p>\n
To model potential exposure scenarios, the researchers incubated the virus in pasteurized cow milk at room temperature and at 4\u00b0C (39.2\u00b0F), simulating both ambient dairy conditions and refrigerated storage. They also ran tests on sheep\u2019s milk using a lab strain of avian influenza.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough the survival of influenza viruses in milk was variable, we consistently found that under laboratory conditions substantial viral infectivity remained over periods when people might reasonably be exposed to infected milk\u2014for over a day at room temperature and for more than 7 days when refrigerated,\u201d the authors wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur results highlight the zoonotic risk of H5N1 HPAIV in raw milk from infected animals and reinforce the importance of taking measures to mitigate this risk,\u201d they added. \u201cOur experiments aimed to model the \u2018worst case scenario\u2019 for the persistence of viral infectivity in milk and should be seen as providing an upper-bound estimate for viral survival under real-world conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
The study, which is awaiting peer review, was supported by multiple UK research agencies including the Medical Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.<\/p>\n
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