°µÍø½ûÇø

The California Department of Food and Agriculture quarantined the farm and suspended distribution of raw milk, cream, kefir, butter and cheese products produced on or after Nov. 27.

“Californians are strongly encouraged not to consume any raw milk or cream products in their possession or still on store shelves,� officials said in a statement.

The move followed recalls of two lots of Raw Farm products after bird flu was in retail milk on Nov. 21.

No known cases of bird flu virus have been confirmed in people who drank raw milk, health officials said. Pasteurized milk is heat-treated to kill the virus and remains safe to drink.

Pet owners also should avoid feeding Raw Farm products sold nationwide as “pet food topper� or “pet food kefir� to their animals, who can become ill, health officials said. Cats on farms with infected cows have developed brain damage and died after drinking contaminated raw milk.

Bird flu virus, also known as Type A H5N1 avian influenza, was detected for the first time in U.S. dairy cows in March. The virus has been spreading rapidly, particularly in California, where nearly 500 of the more than 700 infected U.S. herds have been detected.

The virus has infected 57 people in the U.S. this year, including 31 in California, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mild illnesses have been seen in dairy and poultry workers who had close contact with infected animals. In two cases, and no known source of the illnesses have been identified. No cases of bird flu spreading between people have been detected in the U.S.

Health officials have long warned against drinking raw milk because it can contain germs that cause illnesses that range from mild to life-threatening.

Raw Farm’s owner, Mark McAfee, has called for less raw milk regulation. In , farm officials said they were working to restore supply quickly.

“There are no illnesses associated with H5N1 in our products. But rather this is a political issue,� the post said. “There are no food safety issues with our products or consumer safety. We are working towards resolving this political issue while being cooperative with our government regulatory agencies.�

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who has been tapped as the nation's top health official, has vowed to allow wider distribution of raw milk. McAfee told The Associated Press that Kennedy is a customer of his products. Kennedy for cracking down on raw milk and promised that the Food and Drug Administration’s “ � of unpasteurized milk would end under President-elect Donald Trump.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.