### Bird Flu Prompts Raw Milk Recall in California

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued an urgent warning regarding the consumption of raw milk from Raw Farm, LLC located in Fresno County. The advisory comes after bird flu was identified in one batch of the company's cream top, whole raw milk.

The batch in question bears lot number 202411099 and has a best-by date of November 27, 2024. In response, Raw Farm, LLC has voluntarily recalled this specific lot at the request of state health officials. Consumers who have purchased the affected product are advised to return it to the point of purchase immediately.

Despite the detection of the virus in the raw milk, no illnesses have been reported in association with this batch. CDPH reassures the public that pasteurized milk remains safe for consumption and is not affected by the recall. Retailers who sold the impacted milk have been instructed to remove it from their shelves to prevent further distribution.

This incident aligns with broader flu concerns as health officials recently confirmed a case of bird flu in a child from Alameda County, marking the first U.S. case in a minor. The child, who experienced mild symptoms, is currently recovering after receiving antiviral treatment. This case adds to the 55 reported bird flu infections in the United States this year, 29 of which are in California.

Most of these cases involve farmworkers exhibiting mild symptoms after testing positive for the virus. Notably, an adult from Missouri who had no contact with farm animals was also infected, a case that remains unexplained. Another recent case involved a teenager in British Columbia who required hospitalization.

The H5N1 bird flu strain has been increasingly prevalent in recent years, affecting wild birds, poultry, and various other animals across the United States.