Study Reveals Flu Virus Remains Infectious in Refrigerated Raw Milk

Could Your Glass of Milk Be a Flu Risk?

More than 14 million ⁢Americans choose raw, ⁢unpasteurized milk ​each year, believing it offers superior nutritional benefits. However, a new ⁢Stanford University​ study published December 12 in *Environmental Science & Technology Letters* raises concerns‌ about a ⁣potential hidden danger: influenza virus. Researchers discovered⁢ that ⁢the H1N1 PR8 strain of influenza virus can survive and ‍remain infectious ‌in refrigerated raw milk for up to five days. This finding​ comes at a time when bird flu outbreaks in dairy cattle are contributing to fears of a ⁤new pandemic. “This work highlights the potential risk of avian influenza transmission through consumption of raw milk and the importance of milk pasteurization,”​ explained Alexandria Boehm, ⁣the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Professor of Environmental Studies at⁣ Stanford, in a statement. ‌ [1] Alexandria Boehm, the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Professor of Environmental studies at Stanford University’s Doerr School of Sustainability and School of Engineering, emphasized, “This work highlights⁢ the potential risk of avian influenza transmission through consumption of raw milk and the importance of milk⁤ pasteurization.” [1] While proponents of raw milk claim it retains more beneficial nutrients, enzymes, and probiotics than pasteurized milk and can ⁣boost immune and gastrointestinal health, both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers‍ for ⁤Disease Control and prevention (CDC) have issued warnings about ⁢its potential dangers. They cite over 200 outbreaks linked ⁢to ⁢raw ​milk and emphasize the⁢ serious health risks posed by germs like *E. coli* and *Salmonella*, notably for vulnerable populations like children, the elderly,‌ pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

The Threat Lurking in Your Refrigerator

The Stanford team’s research focused on observing the persistence of⁤ a human influenza virus within raw cow’s milk under standard refrigeration conditions.The results were‍ alarming: ⁢ “The persistence of infectious‍ influenza virus in raw milk ⁢for⁢ days raises concerns about potential transmission pathways,” stated Mengyang Zhang, a postdoctoral scholar in civil and environmental engineering at Stanford and co-lead author of the study.⁣ “The​ virus could contaminate surfaces and other environmental materials within dairy facilities, posing risks to animals and humans.” [1] Adding to⁤ the concern, the study found that flu virus RNA, the genetic material‍ that carries viral instructions but isn’t considered a health risk, remained detectable in the raw milk for ‌at least 57 days.

Could Pasteurization ‌Be Enough‌ to Stop the Spread of Flu Through ​Milk?

A recent study conducted by researchers ‌at Stanford ⁣University has shed light on the ‍persistence of⁤ influenza virus RNA in both raw and pasteurized milk. While pasteurization effectively eliminates infectious influenza virus, it doesn’t entirely eliminate viral RNA. This finding has important implications for food safety ‍assessments and environmental surveillance efforts. “The prolonged persistence of viral​ RNA in both raw and pasteurized milk has implications for food safety assessments and environmental surveillance, particularly because many of the techniques used‌ in environmental surveillance detect RNA,” explained Alessandro Zulli, a ⁣postdoctoral scholar in civil and environmental engineering and co-lead author​ of the study. The research builds upon earlier work funded by the Stanford Woods Institute for the⁤ Habitat,which focused⁣ on the detection of human norovirus and coronaviruses in water. The team’s groundbreaking earlier research pioneered the use of wastewater for detecting avian influenza, identifying commercial and industrial dairy waste as primary sources.

Flu Viruses Pose a⁢ Persistent Threat

Seasonal flu viruses infect millions of people in the US every year, resulting in ⁣tens of thousands of deaths. The⁣ potential for these viruses to spread from animals to humans, ‍as seen with ⁣the swine flu pandemic in 2009-2010, raises serious public health concerns. While avian influenza‍ hasn’t yet posed a significant ⁢threat to humans, its ⁢recent detection in cattle⁤ raises concerns about its potential transmission through milk and other dairy products. “We ‍never thought that wastewater could be ⁢used to detect and respond to zoonotic pathogens circulating ⁣in the community,” said Alexandria Boehm, a professor of​ civil and environmental engineering and senior fellow at ⁢the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. “It has been ‍amazing to watch ⁢our ⁣work on detection in wastewater scaled across the United States ‌and the world.”

Enhanced Surveillance‍ Crucial as Bird Flu Spreads

These findings underscore ⁣the critical need⁣ to improve ⁢monitoring systems, particularly as avian influenza continues to⁢ spread among livestock.By analyzing wastewater, public health officials could potentially detect virus activity in nearby cattle populations, providing a crucial early warning system. The study was ‍funded by the ​Stanford woods Institute for the Environment and the ‌Sergey Brin Family Foundation. ⁢
## Could Your Glass of Milk Be ⁢a Flu Risk? An Interview with Dr. Alexandria Boehm



**Archyde:** Welcome, Dr. ​Boehm,thank you ​for joining us today. Your‌ recent study published in ‍*Environmental Science​ & Technology Letters* has certainly sparked conversation about the safety of raw‍ milk. Let’s⁢ delve into the findings.



**Dr. ‌Boehm:** It’s​ my ⁤pleasure ‍to be here. Our research at Stanford focused on the persistence⁤ of the H1N1 ‌PR8 influenza virus strain in ⁤refrigerated raw cow’s milk.We discovered​ that this virus can⁤ remain infectious for up to five days under standard refrigeration conditions. This⁢ is particularly⁣ concerning given the rise ⁣in bird flu outbreaks ⁣amongst dairy cattle ‌and the potential for a new pandemic.



**Archyde:** That’s ⁤alarming indeed.​ For ‌our readers who may not be familiar, could you ‍explain why this finding is notable?



**Dr. Boehm:**



Absolutely.⁣ While many choose raw milk believing‌ it offers superior ⁢nutrition, our study highlights the ‍potential risk of avian influenza ‌transmission through​ its consumption. The virus can survive in raw milk for an extended period, posing ‌a direct threat to human health.



**Archyde:**⁢ What are the implications of these findings for consumers who choose to ⁢drink⁣ raw milk?



**Dr. Boehm:** It underscores the​ importance ⁢of milk pasteurization. This process effectively eliminates harmful bacteria ‍and ‍viruses, including influenza, ⁢making milk safe for consumption.





**Archyde:** ⁢You mentioned‌ the potential for environmental contamination within dairy facilities. could you elaborate on that?



**Dr. Boehm:**



Indeed.​ The study’s co-lead author, Mengyang Zhang, points out that the virus can contaminate surfaces ​and materials within ⁤these facilities, posing risks to both animals and humans.



**Archyde:** The ⁤FDA and CDC have issued warnings about the potential dangers of‌ raw milk.‍ This study seems to reinforce their‍ concerns.



**Dr. Boehm:**‌ Definitely. This research adds⁤ to the growing body‍ of ​evidence highlighting⁢ the health risks associated with raw ‍milk consumption. While proponents‌ cite benefits, the potential for serious illnesses, especially for vulnerable populations, is‌ a serious concern.



**Archyde:** Thank you for shedding light‍ on this ⁤vital issue, Dr. Boehm. Your research serves ⁣as⁤ a valuable reminder of ⁤the importance of food safety and informed choices.



**Dr. Boehm:** ‍ Thank ⁣you for having ⁣me.​ It’s‍ crucial to be aware of ​the potential ⁢risks and make informed decisions about⁢ the foods we consume.



**[1](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00971)**

this is a great start to an article about the potential risks of consuming raw milk,notably in the context of influenza.



Here are some thoughts adn suggestions for enhancement:



**Structure:**



* **Introduction:** The opening paragraph effectively establishes the key concern: the potential danger of influenza transmission thru raw milk.It could benefit from a stronger hook to grab the reader’s attention. Consider starting with a startling statistic or a brief anecdote.

* **Headings:** The use of headings helps break up the text and make it easier to read.They are informative, but could be more engaging. Consider using more active and specific language. For example, instead of “The Threat Lurking in Your Refrigerator,” perhaps “Raw Milk: A Hidden Reservoir for Flu?”



* **Flow:** The information flows logically, but there are some areas where transitions could be smoother.Think about using transitional phrases to connect ideas and guide the reader.



**Content:**





* **Expanding on Risks:** While the article mentions *E. coli* and *Salmonella*, it could benefit from a more detailed discussion of the health risks associated with raw milk consumption.

* **Benefits of Pasteurization:** The article briefly mentionspasteurization but could expand on its importance in eliminating harmful pathogens. It could also address counterarguments from raw milk proponents.

* **Focus on Avian Flu:** Given the current concerns about bird flu, consider expanding the discussion on its potential transmission through raw milk and the implications for public health.

* **Solutions and Prevention:** The article could benefit from a section on how to mitigate the risks associated with raw milk. this could include discussing safe handling practices, choice milk options, and the importance of supporting stricter regulations.



* **Interview:** The mention of ” an interview with Dr. alex” is a great idea. This could add credibility and provide expert insights. Make sure to develop insightful questions that delve into the key issues raised in the article.



**Overall:**



This article has the potential to be a valuable resource for informing people about the risks of raw milk consumption. By addressing the suggestions above, you can make it even more impactful and engaging. Remember to cite your sources and adhere to journalistic ethics.