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Published: May 25, 2024
With the spread of bird flu south of the border, Canadian officials are now testing samples of milk sold in grocery stores across the country.
Results of these tests were announced on Thursday, a day after a second American dairy worker tested positive for bird flu, also known as H5N1.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) stated that all 303 retail milk samples collected nationally as of May 16 were negative for parts of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). It added that the milk samples showed no evidence of disease in dairy cattle.
Although some samples of unpasteurized American milk tested positive, Canadian health officials say there is no concern regarding the safety of commercial milk supplies due to the pasteurization process.
Why is Canadian milk safe?
CFIA stated in an update on its website: "Milk and dairy products sold commercially remain safe for consumption." "The pasteurization process kills harmful bacteria and viruses, including the avian influenza virus, ensuring that milk and dairy products are safe to drink and eat."
It added that pasteurization still retains the nutritional properties of milk.
All milk must be pasteurized before being sold in Canada, and all suspected cases of avian influenza must be reported to the CFIA.
It wrote, "The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus has not been detected in dairy cattle or other livestock in Canada." "The avian influenza virus poses no food safety concern, and the risk of transmission to humans remains low."
How the milk was tested
CFIA stated that it tested commercial milk samples from across Canada using a type of polymerase chain reaction testing. It clarified that this method for testing milk for the avian influenza virus is "very sensitive," allowing it to detect parts of the virus even if they are not infectious.
The following is the number of samples evaluated during the testing completed on May 16:
Atlantic provinces: 77
Ontario: 75
Quebec: 76
Western provinces: 75
What’s next
CFIA stated that despite the absence of confirmed cases, it continues to monitor the situation and take proactive measures by testing commercial milk. Updates will also be provided, and additional measures will be considered if necessary.
It wrote, "Our role in combating highly pathogenic avian influenza in livestock is to provide scientific guidance, diagnostic assistance, and international reporting."
It stated that there are no impacts on the trade of live livestock or its products. Canada requires imported lactating cows from the United States to test negative for the avian influenza virus (HPAI) as of April 29.
CFIA confirmed that import controls are in place for livestock, including import permits, export certificates, and veterinary inspections.
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