Pasteurization found to prevent spread of H5N1 in milk

Consuming unpasteurized milk from infected cattle may lead to disease, research says.

November 12, 2025

Mechanical milking equipment attached to dairy cow's udders in industrial farming setting

yod67 | BigStock.com

Milk from cows infected with avian influenza may contain H5N1 viral particles, but pasteurization should render that milk safe to drink, according to research from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Researchers at St. Jude, which has a unit dedicated to the study of influenza, decided to put pasteurization to the test after they found H5N1 virus in milk taken from grocery store shelves during avian influenza outbreaks in U.S. dairy herds. Beyond ensuring milk safety, they also wanted to understand whether consuming the milk would confer any immunity to the virus, according to Stacy Schultz-Cherry, a professor at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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