TUESDAY, May 28 — Bird flu virus has been identified in beef tissue from an ill dairy cow, but U.S. health officials assure that the meat supply in the country remains safe.
In an update released on Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that the cow was euthanized due to being sick and its meat was not used for consumption.
The USDA highlighted that they are confident in the safety of the meat supply due to their strict inspection processes at federal livestock slaughter facilities. Every cattle undergoes inspection before and after slaughter to ensure its suitability for human consumption.
To date, viral particles were found in the tissue samples of one dairy cow out of 96 tested. However, the meat from these cows was not sold for consumption.
Although the virus has only been detected in dairy cattle and not in beef cattle used for meat, concerns remain about its potential entry into the commercial beef supply.
Consumer Reports’ Brian Ronholm emphasized the need for constant vigilance in monitoring the situation, while reminding consumers to cook meat thoroughly for added safety.
Independent food safety and veterinary health expert Dr. Gail Hansen echoed the importance of proper cooking techniques to ensure safety in consumption.
The USDA reassured the public that their safety protocols are effective, as they successfully prevented the meat from infected cows from reaching consumers. Ground beef samples collected from retail outlets in affected states have not shown any signs of the virus.
Previous studies indicate that cooking meat at proper temperatures effectively eliminates the virus. However, concerns persist about the viability of the virus found in beef tissue and the possibility of people contracting bird flu through contaminated food.
Research has shown that unpasteurized milk contaminated with the virus can harm animals, sparking concerns about potential human health risks associated with consuming raw milk.
For more information, visit the CDC’s page on bird flu.
SOURCES: U.S. Department of Agriculture, news release, May 24, 2024; New York Times
What This Means For You
Bird flu virus has been detected in beef tissue, but U.S. health officials assure that the contaminated meat did not enter the food supply.
