Study Finds Inactive H5N1 Virus in Pasteurized Milk Poses Low Risk to Public Health
A new assessment indicates that the presence of inactive H5N1 influenza virus in commercially pasteurized milk presents a minimal threat to human health. The findings, released September 27, 2025, address concerns arising from the recent detection of the virus in dairy herds across the United States and offer reassurance regarding the safety of the milk supply.
The research confirms that the pasteurization process effectively inactivates the H5N1 virus, rendering it unable to cause infection. This is notably notable given the ongoing outbreak among livestock and the potential for viral mutation. While the virus has been found in raw milk samples, the widespread practise of pasteurization-a heat treatment designed to kill harmful microorganisms-provides a critical safeguard for consumers. The study’s release comes as public health officials continue to monitor the situation and assess the risk of further transmission, with ongoing surveillance of both animal and human populations.
The assessment details that the detected viral fragments in pasteurized milk are not infectious. Researchers retrieved data from samples analyzed on September 27, 2025, confirming the inactivation. The information is available via https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-inactive-h5n1-influenza-virus-pasteurized.html.
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