Policy & Advocacy Newsletter

By Najee Quashie
Reporting from Massachusetts

Learn how the latest bird flu outbreak impacts poultry, dairy, and raw milk safety and what steps you can take to protect yourself.

*Disclaimer: NOFA/Mass supports the consumption of raw milk and highlights its benefits as part of our Raw Milk Network. However, you should be aware of its risks, which this newsletter will cover.

H5N1 – Avian Influenza – Bird Flu

Avian Influenza, or the Bird Flu, is a disease that commonly spreads between birds. An advanced strain called A(H5) spreads between wild birds, poultry, and cows. Those who work or are around infected animals are at risk of exposure.

As of today, there have been 67 cases of human exposure, with one person dying. So far, there have been no human cases in Massachusetts. Of those infected, 40 were exposed through dairy herds (cattle), which has sparked conversations about the raw milk supply. Raw milk does not go through the pasteurization process, which is done to kill diseases and other harmful bacteria.

A graphic breakdown of how the bird flu spreads

So, what does this mean for you? For backyard and commercial poultry owners, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) recommends engaging in strong biosecurity practices that prevent domestic poultry from coming into contact with wild birds, the areas they frequent, their feathers, and their poop. Another strategy they recommend is to ensure domestic birds do not drink standing water. This can be difficult for free-range owners, but the risks associated with the bird flu can harm domestic animals and humans.

Therefore, it is much better to follow the agency’s advice and operate at your own risk if not. The state also recommends not moving poultry to different locations, quarantining new birds for a month, preventing non-essential personnel from interacting with birds, and not sharing equipment with other owners without disinfecting tools.

It is essential to understand that animals could be positive for the disease without having a confirmed case. Birds can be infected without showing any signs of illness. However, chickens and turkeys can get extremely sick and die. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has created a map showing 12 species of mammals infected across the country. In Massachusetts, a harbor seal was confirmed to be infected late last year.

If you see five or more sick or deceased wild birds, report them to the state.

If you see sick or deceased domestic poultry, report them to the state.

How to Protect Yourself

For everyday people, the symptoms of bird flu range from none to mild to moderate and severe. Mild symptoms include body aches, runny nose, eye redness, sore throat, cough, headaches, mild fever, and fatigue. Moderate and severe symptoms include high fever, shortness of breath, altered consciousness, and seizures.

If you suspect you are positive for the bird flu, isolate yourself, contact your local health department, and schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.

Experts do not foresee the bird flu turning into an epidemic because the people who are mostly getting infected are those who work with livestock or birds. In its current form, H5N1 does not spread from person to person as COVID-19 did.

According to The University of Chicago Medicine, there are seven things you can do to protect yourself from the bird flu:

Consume Pasteurized Dairy Products – As I mentioned, animals can be infected without a confirmed case. Pasteurization kills the diseases and harmful bacteria in a cow’s milk. There is a high risk of exposure if one drinks raw milk or any unpasteurized item.

Refrigerate and Cook Eggs, Meat, and Poultry – Follow best practices when handling and preparing eggs, meat, and poultry. Do not eat poultry that is uncooked or not cooked properly.

Get A Seasonal Flu Vaccine – Seasonal flu vaccines will not protect people against the bird flu. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that workers who operate around infected birds or other potentially infected animals should get a seasonal flu vaccine. It can help protect workers from the seasonal flu and reduce the risk of simultaneous infection with seasonal and bird flu.

Keep Pets Away from Unpasteurized Dairy Products and Vaccinate Them – Much like humans, if pets consume unpasteurized dairy products, they can potentially get sick. Eighty-five domestic cats have tested positive for bird flu since late 2022. Additionally, keeping pets away from sick or deceased birds helps them stay protected. Lastly, get them vaccinated if they have not already.

Report Sick or Deceased Birds and Stay Away From Them – The bird flu virus can be transmitted through the air, so if you can, stay away from sick or deceased birds. Remember, if you see something, say something, so report any sick or deceased birds to the state.

Wash Your Hands Frequently – Just as you would any other time, it is critical that you wash your hands frequently.

Stay Tuned to Public Health Recommendations and Updates – Public health officials are experts on all health matters, so follow their advice to stay protected.

*Disclaimer: Getting a vaccine is a personal choice you and your healthcare provider make together. Vaccines are safe and effective. Always do your research, listen to public health recommendations, and be cautious of misinformation on social media.

The Truth About Raw Milk

Raw milk is milk that has not gone through the pasteurization process. Pasteurization is when milk is heated to about 145 – 212 degrees to remove harmful viruses and bacteria commonly found in cow’s milk. Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella, and Salmonella are germs commonly found in untreated milk.

Jar of milk on table (Unsplash) Robin Worrall

Raw milk advocates argue that the vitamins contained in raw milk are too beneficial to pasteurize. For example, NOFA/Mass has historically supported the consumption of raw milk with its Raw Milk Network. The organization’s stance is that raw milk contains vitamins such as B6, B12, and C and that pasteurization reduces people’s ability to absorb calcium. The Raw Milk Institute echoes these beliefs even further, saying it is comparable to breast milk. They cite several studies that link raw milk to lower rates of asthma, allergies, eczema, and more. One review from Dr. Barbara Sozańska—an expert in asthma and allergic diseases at Wroclaw Medical University in Poland—concludes that raw milk can reduce asthma and allergies.

The Food and Drug Administration, the CDC, and the USDA advise against consuming raw milk. In 2015, John A. Lucey, professor of food science at the University of Wisconsin, reviewed raw milk’s health risks and possible benefits. He found that raw milk can contain pathogens even when getting milk from healthy cows. He also found that less than 10% of vitamins are lost during pasteurization. Regarding allergies, his review suggests that kids who grow up on farms and are exposed to beneficial bacteria are less likely to have allergies than kids in urban environments. On lactose digestion, a group of Stanford University researchers conducted a controlled study of 16 adults with lactose intolerance, finding that raw milk did not decrease this condition.

In Massachusetts, farms can sell raw milk; however, MDAR enforces strict sanitary practices and inspection procedures to ensure its use. For example, herds must not carry tuberculosis and brucellosis, and any diseased animals must be removed. Raw milk must not exceed 750,000 somatic cells, nor should it exceed 100,000 ml of bacteria. It must be cooled to 40 degrees or less within two hours of milking. Farms must be inspected every six months and have a Certificate of Registration to sell raw milk. MDAR also requires farms to provide health warnings on the label and inform people that raw milk is not pasteurized. Any label must include the farm’s name and address.

Regardless of where you stand, being aware of the risks is essential.

Sources to Be Aware Of

USDA’s Up-to-Date Information – Overview of bird flu response.

USDA Financial Aid Support to Offset Costs and Losses – $131.6 million has been given out.

USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy – 38 states enrolled in testing, MA not.

CDC’s Overview of Bird Flu – Understand the disease.

CDC’s Analysis of Cases – Up-to-date human case information.

CDC’s Overview of Raw Milk – Analysis of what raw milk is.

FDA’s Myth Buster of Raw Milk – Analysis of common raw milk myths.