After months of more mild cases, the bird flu appears to be ramping up: The U.S. just saw its first death from the virus, and cases have been found in birds across all 50 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Couple that with egg shortages and rising prices, and it’s fair to have questions about the disease—including whether or not you can get bird flu from food.
There have been 66 confirmed human cases of H5N1 bird flu in America, according to the CDC, with most of them happening in California, Colorado, and Washington. Most bird flu cases were found in people who worked with livestock and poultry, although two were from an unknown source, per agency data.
The news might make you wonder: Can I get bird flu from food like eggs, poultry, and dairy? Here’s what a food safety expert wants you to know—plus, how to protect yourself.
Meet the expert: Felicia Wu, PhD, a professor of food safety, toxicology, and risk assessment at Michigan State University.
Can bird flu be transmitted through food?
Technically, yes, bird flu can be transmitted through food. “We know that it can because already several cats have become ill and even died as a result of consuming raw milk contaminated with H5N1,” says Felicia Wu, PhD, a professor of food safety, toxicology, and risk assessment at Michigan State University.
However, no instances of bird flu being transmitted to people via food or drinks have been reported during the U.S.’s current outbreak.
Are eggs, dairy, and poultry safe to eat?
It’s important to note that eggs, dairy, and poultry are currently being closely monitored by government authorities for the presence of bird flu. When bird flu is found in a flock or group of cows, they are often culled (killed) and the food they produce is destroyed. It’s also worth noting that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently testing all milk in the country for bird flu.
Wu stresses that you’re fine to keep eating eggs, dairy, and poultry as long as you cook it properly. (That includes making sure to only consume pasteurized—not raw—milk.)
How can I protect myself from bird flu?
The majority of bird flu cases in the U.S. have been from people who work with livestock or poultry, or who have handled bird flocks. If you don’t do any of those things, the risk of you contracting bird flu is currently low, since the virus has not shown signs of being transmitted between humans.
From a food safety perspective, cooking poultry, eggs, and beef to the appropriate internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses, including bird flu, according to the CDC. It’s also important to wash your hands well after handling these products, according to the agency.
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.
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