Health Care — Bird flu, raw milk debate converge

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View Online Health Care Health Care The Big Story  Don't drink raw milk, especially during a bird flu outbreak, experts say Apart from being a federally illicit good, raw milk is a vector for numerous pathogens, including the H5N1 bird flu that's infecting dairy cows across countries. And yet, consumption of this beverage is reportedly on the rise.  © AP Recent findings from the market research firm NielsenIQ indicate raw dairy sales have jumped by 25 percent since last year. Raw dairy products are legal to buy in 14 states while few legal barrier to accessing it exist in most other states.     While advocates claim the unpasteurized product carries a host of health benefits, none have been validated by research. Proponents argue pasteurization robs dairy products of nutrients, but experts are highly dubious.   "These claims — I'm a chemist by trade — just make no sense whatsoever on any kind of science or chemistry basis," University of Wisconsin–Madison food science professor John Lucey told The Hill.   "I've been doing research on dairy products and milk for 20-plus years," Lucey added. "In my field, nobody gives credence to these fantastic claims."    Of the two human bird flu infections that have been confirmed in the U.S. so far, neither have been linked to drinking raw milk — but Lucey warns that it carries a high viral load of the current bird flu.    A study put out by the National Institutes of Health found that mice experienced high levels of bird flu after being given raw milk. Researchers detected high levels of bird flu in the trachea, nasal passages and lungs of the mice    According to federal regulators, there are bird flu outbreaks in 51 herds of cattle across the country.    Other than bird flu, raw milk can be a source of transmission for pathogens like salmonella, E. coli and listeria.    Read more from The Hill's Nick Robertson here. Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, I'm Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health.   Programming note: Monday is Memorial Day! We'll be back in your inbox Tuesday with more health care news. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: Amendment killing nationally legal cannabis makes it into House farm bill A ban on intoxicating hemp products has made it into the House version of the farm bill. If the amendment makes it through a polarized House and divided Congress, it would end America’s brief experiment with nationally legal cannabis. The language added to the House version of the farm bill by Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) in effect repeals a sweeping legal change passed by an all-Republican coalition in 2018's farm bill.  …  Full Story Why younger adults are missing early signs of colon cancer Experts are warning that more and more people younger than 40 years are being diagnosed with colon cancer, saying they could be missing the early signs. A study released Friday in the medical journal JAMA Network Open said the most common warning sign for the cancer is passing blood in the stool. Abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements and anemia can also be “red flags.” The paper analyzed 81 studies that examined …  Full Story Mice experienced high levels of bird flu after being given raw milk: Study Mice experienced high levels of bird flu after being given raw milk, according to a study published Friday amid warnings from public health officials to refrain from drinking the unpasteurized dairy product. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory gave droplets of raw milk from cows that were infected to five mice. On the first day they showed signs …  Full Story In Other News  Branch out with a different read: Louisiana governor signs bill making abortion drugs controlled dangerous substances NEW ORLEANS (AP) — First-of-its-kind legislation that classifies two abortion-inducing drugs as controlled and dangerous substances was signed into law Friday by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry. The Republican governor announced his signing of the bill in Baton Rouge a day after it gained final legislative passage in the state Senate. Opponents … Full Story Around the Nation  Local and state headlines on health care: Whooping cough impacting Wisconsin communities (Wisconsin Public Radio)  OHA: Most Oregonians have been able to keep their Oregon Health Plan, Medicaid benefits; system update will help (KTVZ)  Hospital association, Department of Agriculture start 'Food as Medicine' effort to get more local food into Kentucky hospitals (The Lexington Times)  What We're Reading  Health news we've flagged from other outlets: FDA urged to relax decades-old tissue donation restrictions for gay and bisexual men (KFF Health News)  Nursing homes sue over Biden staffing mandate (Axios)  How doctors are pressuring sickle cell patients into unwanted sterilizations (Stat)  What Others are Reading  Most read stories on The Hill right now: Mark Cuban defends Biden, bashes Trump on economy Billionaire investor and television personality Mark Cuban defended the state of the economy under President Biden and bashed former President Trump … Read more The walls are closing in on Bibi Many observers, myself included, have for some time called for Netanyahu's departure from government. It is clear that he will not voluntarily leave, … Read more What People Think  Opinion related to health submitted to The Hill: To make progress on HIV epidemic, put lifesaving medicine in vending machines   You're all caught up. See you next week!  Check out The Hill's Health Care page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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