Antivirals ineffective against H5N1 bird flu in milk

Scientists have found that current antiviral medications may not work effectively against the H5N1 bird flu strain found in cows' milk. The research highlights the need for prevention measures rather than relying solely on treatments. The outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in the United States has raised concerns for public health. Dairy cows' milk has tested positive for the virus, and some workers on farms have become infected. Researchers from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital conducted a study to explore potential treatments. Their results showed that two FDA-approved flu antivirals did not effectively combat severe cases of H5N1. They found that how the virus enters the body, whether through the eye, nose, or mouth, affects how well the treatments work. The research suggests that severely infected individuals may be difficult to treat. Richard Webby, a researcher involved in the study, stated that avoiding raw milk and improving safety for dairy workers might be the best prevention strategies. So far, over 60 people have been infected through exposure to dairy, mainly from contaminated raw milk. The scientists used mice to test how each antiviral worked with different exposure methods. They discovered that one antiviral, baloxavir, was more effective than another, oseltamivir, but neither was reliable for every case. The study found that ingesting the virus through the mouth, as with consuming raw milk, resulted in the most severe infections. The research indicates that ocular infections are common among dairy workers, making it crucial to focus on preventive measures to reduce risk.