Beef tissue from a sick dairy cow has tested positive for the chicken flu virus, federal officers stated on Friday.
The cow had been condemned to be culled as a result of it was sick, and the meat didn’t enter the meals provide, in response to the U.S. Division of Agriculture. The division continued to emphasize that the industrial meals provide remained protected.
However the constructive take a look at, which got here as a part of an ongoing federal research of beef security, raises considerations about whether or not the virus may make its means into the industrial beef provide, posing a well being threat to people.
To this point, the virus, which is called H5N1, has solely been detected in dairy cattle and never within the beef cattle which can be raised for meat. However specialists consider that the outbreak is greater than the official tally of 58 affected dairy herds in 9 states.
“It’s evident that that is widespread and would require fixed vigilance,” stated Brian Ronholm, the director of meals coverage at Client Stories, an advocacy group.
General, he stated, he believed that the chance to shoppers remained low. However, he added, “it is going to be vital for shoppers to ensure they prepare dinner meat to the right temperature for added assurance.”
