Oak Hill, WV (WOAY)- The FDA is asking states to take action to discourage or stop the sale of raw milk to the public.
The concern is the exposure and possible transmission of H5N1 bird flu.
In an open letter, the agency urged states to issue more stern warnings or consider using regulatory powers to curb the sale of raw milk in areas where dairy cattle have tested positive.
Raw milk can carry high levels of the virus because bird flu appears to infect cows through their udders.
It is not known whether humans can get bird flu by drinking contaminated milk.
However, three dairy workers exposed to the milk have been infected, including cats on farms with infected cows.
The Department of Agriculture says 82 herds in the U.S. have tested positive for bird flu.
During this year’s legislative session, lawmakers approved a bill to allow the sale of raw milk in West Virginia.
House Bill 4911 allows vendors to sell raw milk, provided the cartons are labeled to indicate it is ungraded raw milk.
The law takes effect today.
