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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
Causing avian flu, traces of H5N1 virus were found in pasteurized cow’s milk in the United States. Has it become dangerous to drink milk? Doctissimo asked the question to Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo.
Responsible for avian flu, the H5N1 virus has contaminated several herds of cows in the United States. An employee of a dairy farm was also affected in the eye by the virus. And recently, traces of this virus have been found in pasteurized cow’s milk.
Pasteurization leaves traces of viruses
Many people consume pasteurized cow’s milk every day. The question of possible contamination through food then arises. According to Professor Bruno Lina, interviewed by 20 minutes, “pasteurization destroyed the virus even if it did not remove all traces of its presence.”
Should we be concerned about a possible risk of contamination?
To go further, Doctissimo interviewed Dr Gérald Kierzek, in order to understand the risks involved. There is no “no risk in the event of consumption of pasteurized milk, because the virus has been destroyed by pasteurization” confirms Gérald Kierzek.
So where do the traces of viruses mentioned come from? “If there are some traces of the virus remaining, it is because they were spotted on laboratory samples” explains the emergency doctor. But the tests did not reveal any alteration of the virus likely to make it more transmissible to humans.
Is there a risk of contamination if we consume milk that contains traces of virus?
The doctor immediately reassures: “No, there is no scientific evidence to date of possible oral contamination of the virus.“. And according to Gérald Kierzek, “if some traces of the virus were found in the stomachits acidity would destroy them”.
The H5N1 virus continues to be closely monitored by scientists, due to its high risk of mutation. But today, you can continue to sip your glass of milk in peace: there is no need to worry.