• tal
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    7 months ago

    The virus, a strain of bird flu called H5N1, is concerning to public health officials because of its high fatality rate: More than half of the people who have contracted the illness have died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    There’s a certain crowd of people who are absolutely determined to consume raw milk. You can’t get it across state lines, because the FDA bans it, but some states permit it internally.

    This might cause some states to stop that.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_raw_milk_debate

    Especially if the raw milk fans catch it and then start spreading it to other people.

    EDIT: Looks like the FDA has commented on it.

    https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/hpai-dairy-faqs.pdf

    Could the consumption of raw milk from these states impact human health?

    FDA’s longstanding position is that unpasteurized, raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms that can pose serious health risks to consumers, and FDA is reminding consumers of the risks associated with raw milk consumption in light of the H5N1 detections.

      • Bassman1805@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        Please be the story of the congressfolk that legalized raw milk, celebrated by drinking raw milk, and all got sick as a result…

        Fuck yeah.

        • tal
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          7 months ago

          If Cleetus McNumbnuts becomes Patient Zero in another global pandemic, this time with a mortality rate of over 50%, it won’t be something to cheer about.

          https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/inhumans.htm

          Wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) when working directly or closely with sick or dead animals, animal feces, litter, raw milk, and other materials that might have the virus.

          Wash hands with soap and water, then put on PPE in this order:

          1. Fluid-resistant overalls.

          2. Waterproof apron, if needed for job task.

          3. NIOSH-approved respirator

          4. Properly-fitted unvented or indirectly-vented safety goggles or face shield

          5. Head cover or hair cover.

          6. Gloves

          7. Boots

          Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose after touching any contaminated material.

          Meanwhile, Cleetus has purchased his jug of active virus and is happily drinking it.

          EDIT: Probably more like Cleetus giving said jug to his kids.

          https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/rawmilk/rawmilk-outbreaks.html

          Among illnesses linked to unpasteurized milk that occurred from 2013 through 2018, 48% (325) were among people aged 0–19 years.

      • tal
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        7 months ago

        While McGeehan admitted that there were “some other colleagues that have similar symptoms that I’ve been experiencing,” he doesn’t think that milk is the cause. And even if it was the cause, McGeehan doesn’t regret voting for the bill.

        “There definitely shouldn’t be a law against allowing people to do what they want within the framework of the rule of law,” he said.

        That does seem kind of tautological.

        • KevonLooney@lemm.ee
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          7 months ago

          They are using “rule of law” to mean “whatever I want”. Rest assured that if their child was sickened, they would sue immediately. And probably blame trans immigrants or something.

      • Letstakealook@lemm.ee
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        7 months ago

        This bit from the article is amazing:

        “There definitely shouldn’t be a law against allowing people to do what they want within the framework of the rule of law,” he said.

    • frickineh@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      The raw milk people are wild to me, because raw milk is disgusting even without the bird flu, and they’re so committed to it. The more people point out that it’s gross and unsafe, the more they want it. Drinking pus to own the libs, I guess?

      • Krauerking@lemy.lol
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        7 months ago

        I will say I’m a huge fan of having it around for cooking.

        It think its as good or better than pasteurized in a sauce, and then when it starts to sour, the coolest thing is I can separate it and turn the cream into butter and get buttermilk leftover.
        I can then keep using both for cooking and baking.

        I think raw milk has a place with understanding of what you are buying, but I don’t know if other people are like me and actually just gulping it down.

        • grue@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          I was going to express a similar sentiment: having the milk be unpasteurized can be an important difference when it’s a base ingredient that’s being further processed (e.g. to make fancy French-style cheese or something), but you’re not really supposed to just straight-up drink the stuff.