(WXMI) — State officials warn residents not to drink raw milk amid the growing number of bird flu cases in Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) issued an alert Wednesday saying unpasteurized milk is unsafe during normal circumstances, more so now that bird flu has infected commercial flocks and dairy cows.
“Anyone can get sick from drinking raw milk, but children under age 5, adults over age 65 and those with weakened immune systems are more at risk for getting sick,” says Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian. “Now that HPAI is infecting both cows and birds, it’s important to make sure that you are consuming food that is safe, including ensuring that the milk products you eat or drink are pasteurized.”
Both departments say Michiganders should only drink pasteurized milk, which is milk that’s been heated to kill disease-causing germs. To do so otherwise runs the risk of contracting E. coli or Salmonella.
Check the label on the milk jug to determine if it’s pasteurized. Unpasteurized milk is not found at stores or in school lunches.
READ MORE: MDARD encouraging biosecurity amid bird flu spread in West Michigan
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