NBC There are new health warnings about the growing number of bird flu cases in California and the latest is in Marin County, where health officials say they are investigating a possible new case linked to a child who drank raw milk.
Raw milk been under the microscope for weeks in California.
On Dec. 6, public health officials issued a statewide warning, to test for bird flu in patients who display symptoms after drinking it.
UCSF infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Chin-Hong pointed out that raw milk has long been linked to E.coli, salmonella, listeria risks and now bird flu.
“Right now, it’s very low threat to the general population, in the short-term, but in the medium term and long-term, I think that’s where people are a little bit nervous because the virus is mutating,” he said.
Marin County is investigating a possible case of the bird flu involving a child, who drank raw milk. For now, Chin-Hong said people who don’t consume raw dairy products are at lower risk. He added that risks will likely increase as the virus mutates just as it did with COVID.