Avian flu: no risk for Canadian dairy products

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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada want to reassure the population that milk and dairy products sold on the market are safe and free from contamination by the virus. of avian flu.

“In Canada, milk from dairy cows must be pasteurized before being sold. This process kills harmful bacteria and viruses, which ensures that milk and dairy products can be consumed safely,” it was clarified in a press release on Friday.

This announcement comes as dairy cattle in the United States tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the H5N1 virus, and virus particles were detected in pasteurized milk sold on the other side of the border.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week released the results of a new study finding that pasteurization of dairy products is effective in inactivating the virus that causes HPAI, even when virus particles remain. , we can read in the press release.

In addition to the protective measures in force, the Government of Canada has taken new measures:

• Require lactating dairy cows imported from the United States to Canada to test negative for HPAI;

• Conduct increased testing of milk at the retail level for HPAI viral particles;

• Expand cattle screening to include voluntary testing of cattle that do not exhibit clinical symptoms of HPAI.

“Although the risks of transmission to humans remain low, the governments of Canada, provinces and territories, as well as our colleagues in the United States, are working together to conduct, where appropriate, surveillance, preparations and “active interventions in this changing situation to protect Canada’s cattle and the health of Canadians,” he added.