As Bird Flu Spreads to Cattle, Is It Safe to Eat Milk and Meat?

The ongoing bird flu outbreak has now spread to cattle, raising concerns about the safety of consuming milk and meat products. While experts state that the risk to humans remains small, the virus has been detected in dairy herds in several US states. The US government is urging against panic over milk products, stating that all milk from affected animals is being destroyed to prevent it from entering the human food supply.

Bird flu impacting the food system has already been seen through egg shortages and the halt of production at a major egg producer in the US. While cow's milk is believed to still be safe to drink, experts are surprised by the virus affecting cows, and there is uncertainty about its potential impact on beef cattle. The outbreak is already affecting the beef market, with concerns about the virus mutating and the possibility of human-to-human transmission. Experts link the rising risk of bird flu to factory farming practices, stressing the need for more sustainable and controlled agricultural methods.