Bird Flu. What's going on? Should milk drinkers be worried?

written by

posted on

May 10, 2024

Bird flu, bird flu, bird flu. I'm sure you've seen scary headlines like these:

💥 "Deadly flu virus is not just for the birds anymore"
💥 "Bird flu has spread to dairy cows. Is our milk safe?"
💥 "Could Avian Influenza Be The Next Covid-19?"

I mean, how sensational. At this point, you've likely had (at least) a small moment of fear. You maybe have even done an internet search on "bird flu symptoms" (or something like that).

I mean, the government and the media do such a good job of seeding fear about disease. Any fear or anxiety you have about this is not your fault. Gee, just imagine how you'd feel and what the headlines would look like if, instead, the focus switched to spreading hope about natural health! That would be the day.

What's really going on? What do we have evidence of? What questions remain unanswered? Here's a breakdown of it all from my perspective.

Heads up -- it's a loooong post. It needs to be. Instead of fragments of scary information like most media sites put out there, I figure I'd take the time to delve deep and answer the questions that I have (and you might have, too).

*As a disclaimer, I'm not a doctor or a scientist. I'm a passionate real food consumer that loves research and learning new things. Sources are listed at the very bottom.

The truth is that there is zero evidence of viral transmission from milk to humans (even raw milk).

Yes, strains of bird flu were found in US milk (and fragments of these strains were found in pasteurized milk). However, the CDC and USDA reported that the strains lack the genetic markers for viruses adapted to infect humans. You heard that right. Anything that would potentially be in the milk can't infect humans.

The two people infected in this "outbreak" have been farm workers who've had direct contact with infected animals (and, by the way, with one of those cases it's unknown whether the animals were cows or dead birds).

For farm workers, the "WHO assesses the public health risk to the general population posed by this virus to be low and for occupationally exposed persons the risk of infection is considered low-to-moderate." So low risk for everyone, and low-moderate risk for farm works.

Furthermore, the two people infected have NOT transmitted it to another human. Sure, the virus could mutate to spread from human to human, but that's not the current reality.

Raw milk has antiviral properties that can prevent disease.

Science shows that raw milk can inactivate viruses and prevent foodborne illness. Multiple researchers have shown that this is a synergistic effect, meaning that there's not one specific thing in the milk that provides this protection. Rather, it's a combination of many things working together in our complex gut ecosystems that include innate and adaptive immune systems

Beyond the studies, this just makes sense in our gut. Let's take this example. Say a breastfeeding mom gets sick. She should NOT stop breastfeeding. Rather, she should 100% continue because she passes immunity along to protect the baby.

It's my opinion that it's better to improve your immune system than try to avoid a specific handful of the billions of bacteria and viruses around us (terrain theory, not germ theory). With potentially harmful pathogens, it's not an "if" you come in contact, it's a "when" you come in contact. Strengthening your body and immune system is your best defense (rather than avoidance).

There's zero evidence showing spread through eating meat or eggs.

I don't think I need to write more here. The above sentence says it all.

Unanswerable Bird Flu Questions

The hard part about writing about bird flu right now is that I have so many questions that I simply cannot find answers to. How can I have an educated stance when I'm confused, when I don't feel like I have all the info? Here are some questions that I'd love to have answered to help formulate a truly educated opinion.

--> How widespread is bird flu in cows? How many farms have been affected?

Some charts show number of positive tests in animals, some show positive milk tests, and some show it combined. Some show the number of states affected, and some show the number of farms. You need to be diligent when looking at the numbers.

From what I found, as of May 2, it looks like there are 36 herds that have had at least one cow with a positive bird flu test. Since there's about 25,000 dairy herds in the US, about 0.1% of farms that have been affected. If we round, that's 0%.

It's my understanding that these are only farms with a reason to test. How many farms have cows with bird flu and don't know it? Furthermore, how sensitive are the tests? Are we counting tests for the full virus, fragments of the virus, or a specific amount of the virus?

So many unknowns and opportunities to skew data to make a point.

--> Are there any farming practices that make bird flu transmission to cows more or less likely?

When there's a food safety risk, headlines nearly always say things like "Dump milk from This Specific Farm" or "Throw away your lettuce from This Specific Company." They call out the specific farm or company producing the food.

But, with the bird flu thing, it's very vague. The articles say "a farm in Texas" or "a farm in Colorado."

Because they're not naming names, I can only assume that the farms affected are part of big ag. They likely sell their milk to mega companies, which are lobbying to protect their brand name (and sales). And that means that, most likely, the infected cows live inside, are fed corn and soy, are given drugs, and all that industrial ag stuff.

And, if that's the case, then it means that cows on small natural farms like ours would be much less likely to contract bird flu. The cows are outside as much as possible (at this time of year, it's all day and night), they eat a natural diet of grass, and are drug-free. They're in natural health. The outside thing might be the biggest variable, because just like with COVID (and basically any virus), outdoor viral spread is rare.

But, of course, I have no way to prove this one way or another. Again, they're not naming farms! And, even if they did, big ag will protect its name. Those industrial farming practices are just fine, right? This makes it impossible to draw any conclusions about why transmission to cows happened in the first place.

--> How serious is bird flu in humans?

This should be a simple one, right? Nope. The info out there is quite confusing.

According to the CDC, "The signs and symptoms of bird flu virus infections in humans range from no symptoms or mild illness such as eye redness or mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms to severe illness such as pneumonia requiring hospitalization." OK, that sounds like a normal flu virus. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and the most vulnerable are probably those who are immunocompromised (sick, elderly, etc).

But then, according to the WHO, the death rate is 56% (other sources cite the fatality rate from 40-60%). Seriously!?!? If that were true for all people, it would be truly terrifying.

Most likely, there should be some disclaimers about the fatality stats. I'd like to know these things. Was the percent based on hospitalized people only? If some people show no symptoms, were they be included in the total count of those infected (of course not)? Where did these deaths happen? How long were people infected before getting treatment? What was the quality of care and resources in those hospitals?

But, let's stop and think. How can anyone put a scary stat about death out there without some serious disclaimers about the data? It's obvious that that stat is for people who are already very sick and hospitalized.

--> How does bird flu get into milk anyway?

Bird flu is a respiratory disease, NOT a blood disease. Why is this important? Because milk is made from blood. If the bird flu virus isn't in blood, then there's no way for it to get into the milk (at last the milk when it's inside a body).

So, how does it get into the milk? Articles online haven't really explained this. They've only cited that fragments of bird flu have been found in pasteurized milk. In the same articles, they tout how amazing our testing capabilities are and how we can detect even the smallest fragments. So how much of the virus is in the milk is unknown, too.

Again, how does the virus get into milk? The only explanation is that it must be from an outside source. Perhaps droplets from an infected cow's saliva, respiratory droplets, urine, or feces. Another theory is that mastitis happens as an inflammatory response, and the infection is spreading to the teats. But again, this is yet to be proven.

In my opinion, it's most likely from respiratory droplets in the air in poorly ventilated milking spaces. But again, I have no way to prove that.

--> Why the hype?

Given the data, bird flu in humans doesn't seem like a big threat. This is especially true when compared to the wars, malnutrition, lack of clean water, and all the other huge issues around the world.

So, why? I mean, it's definitely click bait that gets ratings up. Maybe it's just something to talk about. Maybe it's a distraction from other news. Maybe it's a ploy to promote pasteurized dairy. Or maybe it's to promote a new bird flu vaccine. We may never know!

What is Miller's Bio Farm doing to prevent bird flu?

Well, we're going to continue doing what we normally do. Our cows will live a naturally happy, healthy life. They're outdoors at pasture as much as the weather allows. They eat a natural diet of 100% grass. We have meticulous cleaning and milk safety standards to minimize any potential pathogens getting in the milk. And, as usual, we carefully watch the health of our cows (they rarely fall ill).

We will not be testing for bird flu... unless we're required to. We don't feel it's necessary. Given the current info, we don't view bird flu as a risk. If we see evidence showing otherwise, of course we would take action then.

What do you think about bird flu? Are you nervous, or is it just hype?

I'd love for you to join the conversation. Comment below (no account required - start typing for the guest option to appear) or contact us.

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Sources

From farm to fork: Understanding the value of sustainable pork

Raising Pork the Old-Fashioned Way: Miller's Bio Farm's Commitment to Quality At Miller's Bio Farm, we're not trying to reinvent the wheel, we're bringing back the farming practices that sustained communities for generations. As an Amish farm, we understand that good stewardship of the land and animals isn't just about business; it's about honoring creation and providing wholesome food for families. When you buy pork from us, you're getting more than just meat. You're getting the result of careful, intentional farming that puts the well-being of our animals, our land, and your family first. Let's be honest: most grocery store pork comes wrapped in pretty words like "natural" and "humanely raised," but these labels often don't mean much. It's easy to put nice words on a package, much harder to actually do the work of raising animals properly. We'd like to show you how we do things differently here at Miller's Bio Farm. What Makes Our Pork Different Good pork starts with good practices. For us, that means healthy soil, happy animals, responsible harvesting, and thoughtful management of everything that happens on our farm. Here's what that looks like in practice: Pasture-Raised the Way Nature Intended Pigs aren't meant to spend their lives standing on concrete in windowless buildings. They're curious, intelligent animals that need fresh air, sunshine, and room to express their natural behaviors, rooting in the dirt, foraging for food, and socializing with other pigs. On our farm, hogs live outdoors on pasture in the woods where they can do exactly that. We move them regularly to fresh ground, which keeps them healthy and gives the land time to rest and regenerate. This practice, sometimes called rotational grazing is farming wisdom that's been passed down for centuries. When pigs root and forage on fresh pasture, they're naturally fertilizing the soil and helping plants grow back stronger. The land becomes more fertile season after season, storing carbon and building topsoil instead of depleting it. No chemical fertilizers needed, just pigs doing what pigs do best. This kind of farming takes more work than confining animals in one place, but it produces better results for everyone involved: healthier pigs, healthier land, and better tasting pork. Raising Animals with Respect Our approach to animal care reflects our values as an Amish farming community. We believe animals deserve to be treated with dignity and respect throughout their lives. Processing with Care When harvest time comes, we work with a small processor who shares our commitment to humane treatment. Our animals are handled calmly and respectfully, with immediate stunning to ensure they feel no distress. This isn't just the right thing to do, it also affects meat quality. Animals that are stressed at slaughter produce tougher, less flavorful meat. Properly handled animals yield tender, delicious pork that you can taste the difference in. Studies also confirm what traditional farmers have long known: animals raised on pasture produce meat with better nutritional profiles, including higher omega-3 fatty acids and more vitamins. Wholesome Feed, No Shortcuts We raise heritage breed pigs, traditional breeds known for their hardiness and flavor. These animals thrive on pasture with supplemental non-GMO grain, and they don't need antibiotics or growth hormones to stay healthy. In industrial pork production, antibiotics are mixed into feed daily to prevent disease in overcrowded conditions. This practice is creating drug-resistant bacteria that threaten public health, a problem we don't contribute to. Our pigs build strong immune systems naturally through good nutrition, clean living conditions, and low-stress environments. It's the way farming worked for centuries before shortcuts became the norm. Caring for God's Creation As stewards of the land, we take seriously our responsibility to leave it better than we found it. That's not just good farming, it's part of our calling. Building Soil, Not Destroying It Industrial agriculture depletes soil through intensive tilling, chemical dependence, and continuous monoculture cropping. This approach might boost short-term production, but it's not sustainable. We farm differently. Our rotational grazing actually improves soil health year after year. As pigs move across pasture, they naturally incorporate organic matter into the ground. Rest periods allow plants to regrow with deeper roots, which prevents erosion and captures carbon from the atmosphere. The result is living, fertile soil teeming with beneficial microorganisms soil that produces nutritious forage without synthetic inputs. Handling Waste Responsibly Large scale pig operations often store waste in enormous lagoons that leak pollutants into water supplies and release harmful gases into the air. These systems create environmental and health problems for surrounding communities. Our approach couldn't be more different. Because our pigs are spread across pasture and woodlands in manageable groups, their manure distributes naturally as valuable fertilizer rather than concentrating into a waste problem. When winter weather requires us to bring pigs into shelter, we bed them deeply with straw or wood shavings. This creates a composting effect that safely breaks down manure without environmental contamination. We also plant diverse pasture species specifically chosen to absorb nutrients and maintain ecological balance. Not all pigs like to go in the open shelter in the winter time and that's perfectly fine with us! The Real Story Behind Your Pork Chop Many people wonder which type of meat is most environmentally friendly. The truth is, it's not so much about whether you're eating pork, beef, or chicken, it's about how that animal was raised. Take beef as an example. You've probably heard that cattle are terrible for the environment. That criticism applies to feedlot operations where thousands of cattle are confined in small spaces and fed grain-heavy diets. But cattle raised properly on well managed pasture actually improve the land and sequester carbon. The animal itself isn't the problem; the farming method is. The same principle applies to pork. Factory farmed pork has serious environmental and ethical problems. Pasture raised pork from a regenerative farm like ours is a completely different product. One challenge specific to pork is that pigs need grain as part of their diet, they can't survive on grass alone like cattle can. This means sustainable pork production requires access to sustainably grown grain, ideally non-GMO corn and soybeans from farmers practicing regenerative agriculture. On our farm, we're committed to sourcing feed from responsible growers who share our values of soil health, biodiversity, and chemical free farming. What You're Really Buying When you purchase pork from Miller's Bio Farm, you're not just buying bacon or pork chops. You're supporting a way of farming that's been proven over generations, one that respects animals, regenerates land, and produces genuinely nutritious food. We're proud to raise pork the right way, even though it's more work. Because at the end of the day, that's what good stewardship looks like. And that's something worth bringing home to your table. Check out our: ✔️Corn & Soy Free ✔️ Vaccine, Drug, GMO-Free ✔️Heritage Breeds ✔️Woodland Raised PORK COLLECTION HERE: https://millersbiofarm.com/sto...

Bird Flu. What's going on? Should milk drinkers be worried?

The truth is that there is zero evidence of viral transmission from milk to humans (even raw milk).

Raw milk has antiviral properties that can prevent disease.

There's zero evidence showing spread through eating meat or eggs.

Unanswerable Bird Flu Questions

What is Miller's Bio Farm doing to prevent bird flu?

What do you think about bird flu? Are you nervous, or is it just hype?

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Miller's Bio Farm, 523 Valley Road, Quarryville, PA 17566