USDA Discovers Avian Influenza in Beef: Analysis & Predictions

Second human case of avian influenza reported in the United States.

News broke recently that the U.S. Department of Agriculture made a groundbreaking announcement - avian influenza was detected in beef for the first time. However, officials assured the public that the virus did not contaminate the food supply, and beef remains safe for consumption.

The USDA revealed that during routine inspections at meat processing plants, 96 dairy cows were diverted from the supply due to signs of illness. Subsequent testing unveiled the H5N1 virus in a single dairy cow, marking the first instance of bird flu in beef.

Although avian influenza has affected dairy herds across nine states and led to the culling of millions of birds, finding it in beef is a novel occurrence for the 2022 outbreak. The USDA previously announced plans to test ground beef for bird flu in retail stores, with no positive detections so far.

In the event of bird flu contamination in beef reaching consumers, the USDA recommends cooking the meat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit - a precaution that effectively eliminates the virus. This method parallels the destruction of E. coli and other pathogens.

While the risk to the general public remains low, two farmworkers in Michigan and Texas contracted bird flu earlier this year. Health authorities emphasized that individuals exposed to infected animals face a higher susceptibility to the virus.

It's worth noting that only one other human case of avian influenza has been documented in the U.S. In 2022, a participant in a work program became infected while handling birds at a poultry farm. Despite experiencing fatigue as the sole symptom, the individual made a full recovery.