GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — West Michiganders are being reminded that drinking unpasteurized milk can cause health issues while Michigan is seeing an outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
HPAI has been detected in dairy herds in Ionia, Isabella and Ottawa counties. This illness can be passed to humans. One person in Texas has been infected.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) said pasteurized dairy products, which are the only kind sold in stores, are safe.
The pasteurization process removes bacteria and any viruses, including HPAI, that may be present in the milk.
With HPAI detected in multiple West Michigan counties, Michiganders are urged to avoid unpasteurized dairy products.
“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,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “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.”
HPAI is highly contagious and can be spread through wild birds, contact with infected poultry, equipment and on caretakers' shoes and clothes.
The MDHHS and MDARD said you should follow these tips to avoid getting HPAI from consuming dairy products:
- Choose pasteurized milk and dairy products.
- Refrigerate milk, dairy products and other perishable food at 40⁰F or colder.
- Throw away expired food, including milk and dairy products.
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