Unravel the truth about CFIA’s HPAI testing. Is it really about disease suspicion or pasteurized milk traces? Dive into our in-depth analysis to find out.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently communicated that no cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) have been detected in the cattle in Canada at present. Moreover, they’re not scanning for traces of the virus in either raw or pasteurized milk. The CFIA’s strategies for testing these diseases frequently revolve around a strong suspicion of them. For instance, the emergence of key clinical signs could propel testing.
“As with many reportable diseases in animals, testing is recommended based on the suspicion of the disease, through, for example, the presence of clinical signs,” the CFIA stated in an email to RealAgriculture.
Interestingly, the CFIA is aware of U.S. findings about the presence of inactivated HPAI virus particles in pasteurized milk samples. These samples were tested using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) testing. But, before you worry, it’s important to remember that this does not necessarily imply that an active virus is prolific in the milk.
CFIA reassures everyone that the risk to consumers remains low. They emphasize that HPAI isn’t a food safety concern, largely because pasteurization is a requirement for all cow’s milk sold in Canada. So rest easy knowing that this process safeguards the milk by killing off harmful bacteria and viruses while leaving its nutritional properties intact.
“HPAI is not a food safety concern, as pasteurization is required for the sale of cow’s milk in Canada. This process kills harmful bacteria and viruses while retaining the nutritional properties of milk, ensuring our milk and milk products are safe to drink,” the CFIA disclosed.
In an effort to stay ahead of this evolving situation, the CFIA is collaborating with Health Canada, the Public HealthAgency of Canada, and U.S. authorities. They’ve pledged to continue updating their website as new information becomes available regarding Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in livestock. Needless to say, we’ll be keeping an eye on all developments.
