CA Raw Farm Milk Recalled Amid More Bird Flu Concerns; Sales Suspended

CALIFORNIA — California has issued another warning and recall of raw milk products from Fresno-based Raw Farm following elevated concerns about avian influenza (H5N1), authorities said Thursday.

A second warning came from the state after the California Department of Public Health detected the virus — known commonly as bird flu — in a batch of raw milk sold in California stores. The California Department of Food and Agriculture visited the farm on Thursday and requested that the farm recall its raw milk products.

California's health and agriculture departments have also ordered the farm to suspend sales to retailers amid concerns that the farm's cattle was infected by the virus, the Los Angeles Times reported.

However, the milk that remains on shelves can remain available for sale, the Times wrote. Still, consumers are advised not to drink it and should immediately return any remaining product to the store where it was purchased.

Raw Farm Owner Mark McAfee said a round of bird flu tests conducted among cows at the farm Wednesday turned up positive, the newspaper said.

The news comes just after a child was diagnosed with bird flu. To date, 55 people across the nation have contracted bird flu this year. Meanwhile, the Golden State has reported 29 confirmed cases of bird flu since early October. The majority of those cases have come from infected cows, according to CDPH. Of the cases, 28 had direct contact with cows, and displayed mild symptoms, typically eye infections. None required hospitalization, the state said.

According to the state on Thursday, no new human bird flu cases associated with the Raw Farm products have been detected.

"This particular dairy that is involved in this recall has been implicated in a number of recalls over the year including the bird flu right now, E coli and previously salmonella," said Mitzi Baum, CEO of Stop Foodborne Illness, told ABC7.

The child reportedly had mild symptoms, was being treated with antiviral medication and had already tested negative, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Alameda child, who attends daycare, is the first U.S. minor to contract the illness, the CDC said.

Bird flu spreads among dairy cows and poultry but it can be contracted by humans consuming such animals and dairy products.

Bird flu was detected during the testing of a batch of cream top, whole raw milk from Raw Farm. And while state's health officials are urging the public to avoid drinking it, pasteurized milk remains safe to drink.

State health experts have long warned against consuming raw milk products due to elevated risks of foodborne illness. Outbreaks due to Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, toxin producing E. coli, Brucella, Campylobacter and other bacteria have been reported related to consuming raw dairy products.

Raw milk products are not pasteurized, a heating process that kills bacteria and viruses such as bird flu. Pasteurized milk and milk products are safe to consume because the heating process kills pathogens, including bird flu, that can cause illness, according to health experts.

Here are the symptoms in humans to be aware of:

• Eye redness or discharge
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Trouble breathing
• Fever

Anyone who has consumed a recalled product and is experiencing these symptoms should immediately contact a healthcare provider.

READ MORE: How CA Child Contracted Bird Flu: 5 Things To Know To Stay Safe