Investigators are still trying to determine how a child in California may have contracted H5N1 bird flu, as more details about the case continue to emerge. The incident involves a toddler who was taken to a hospital emergency department in Marin County with a high fever and vomiting. The child’s parent informed the doctor that the child had consumed raw milk from Raw Milk LLC, a company whose products had tested positive for H5N1.
If confirmed, this case would be the first recorded instance of H5N1 infection through milk consumption in the United States. However, Lisa Santora, public health officer for Marin County, cautioned that there is a possibility the infection may not be definitively confirmed. A specimen has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the hopes of confirming the flu infection and determining whether it is seasonal flu or bird flu.
The family members were reportedly unaware that the milk they had purchased was raw milk, which has raised concerns about the transmission of H5N1 bird flu. Studies have shown that commercial pasteurization processes can effectively kill the virus in milk. Initial tests on the child were inconclusive, with a positive flu A result but an inability to subtype the virus. Family members tested negative for flu, leading to further uncertainty about the source of the infection.
Milk from infected cows contains high levels of H5N1, and studies have shown that animals like cats and lab mice can become ill or die from consuming infected raw milk. The potential risk to humans from consuming raw milk contaminated with H5N1 is still being studied. The child, who did not exhibit classic flu symptoms, has since recovered.
In a separate case in Alameda County, another child tested positive for H5N1, though the source of infection remains unknown. Public health officials continue to investigate both cases to better understand the transmission of H5N1 and prevent further infections. The CDC’s analysis of the specimen from the Marin County case will provide valuable insights into the nature of the infection and the potential risks associated with consuming raw milk contaminated with H5N1.
