Recent testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that bird flu was likely not the cause of illness in a California child who became sick after consuming raw milk, according to sources close to the investigation.
The child, from Marin County, experienced fever and vomiting after drinking unpasteurized milk. Local health officials initially issued warnings about consuming raw milk products while investigating the case.
According to Marin County Public Health, the child has since recovered completely, and no other family members developed any symptoms, ruling out human-to-human transmission. While the investigation continues in partnership with the California Department of Public Health and CDC, officials maintain that public health risk remains low.
This case drew attention following a recent confirmation of the first U.S. child infected with bird flu in California, who experienced mild respiratory symptoms. The source of that infection remains under investigation.
California has reported 32 of the more than 50 human cases of bird flu variants confirmed across seven states this year. While no cases of bird flu have been linked to raw milk consumption, health authorities consistently advise against drinking unpasteurized milk due to potential bacterial contamination risks.
In response to the ongoing situation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently mandated nationwide testing of raw, unpasteurized milk samples. This order expands previous measures implemented after the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) in dairy cattle in March.
Health officials emphasize that pasteurized milk, which undergoes heat treatment to eliminate viruses and bacteria, remains safe for consumption.