Raw Milk and Bird Flu: Survey Finds Many Americans Unaware

Author: Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Published: 14 Mar 2025 - Updated: 18 Oct 2026
Publication Type: Reports & Proceedings

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This report presents findings from the Annenberg Public Policy Center’s nationally representative Annenberg Science and Public Health Knowledge survey of 1,716 U.S. adults, fielded January 30 to February 10, 2025, on what Americans know about the risks of drinking raw, unpasteurized milk after H5N1 bird flu turned up in raw milk samples. While 56% know raw milk is less safe than pasteurized milk, more than 4 in 10 are unsure or believe it is just as safe or safer, and two-thirds do not know that children are more vulnerable than adults to the bacteria and viruses raw milk can carry. Large shares of respondents are also unsure about popular health claims for raw milk involving osteoporosis, asthma, lactose intolerance and immunity, all of which the FDA classifies as misconceptions. Because the data come from a long-running probability-based survey panel and are checked against guidance from the FDA, CDC and NIH, the findings give a reliable picture of public knowledge gaps that matter most to parents, seniors, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system or chronic illness.*

At a Glance

• 1 - Only 17% know bird flu has been found only in raw milk, not in pasteurized milk.
• 2 - Just 4% of respondents reported drinking raw milk in the past 12 months, while another 2% were not sure.
• 3 - The FDA has banned the interstate sale of raw milk since 1987, yet 30 states still allow its sale in some form.
• 4 - Researchers found that mice can be infected with H5N1 by drinking raw milk. The NIH says this suggests drinking raw milk may pose a transmission risk to people.

Topic Definition

Raw Milk and H5N1 Bird Flu

Raw milk is milk from cows, goats, sheep or other animals that has not been pasteurized, the heat treatment that kills harmful bacteria and viruses. Since 2024, the highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus has been detected in dairy cattle and in raw milk from infected herds, adding a potential viral threat to the long-known bacterial risks of raw milk, which include Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Campylobacter and Brucella. Pasteurization inactivates H5N1, and the virus has not been found in pasteurized retail milk, so public health agencies advise choosing pasteurized dairy products, particularly for children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system.

Overview

Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) located H5N1 bird flu virus in samples of raw, or unpasteurized, milk in tests in four states in April 2024, and bird flu has been detected in commercially sold raw milk, many Americans do not know that consuming raw milk and its products poses greater health risks than consuming pasteurized milk and its products, especially for children. Consuming raw milk can expose one to Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Listeria, and Brucella - and, potentially, H5N1 bird flu.

A majority of U.S. adults (56%) knows that drinking raw milk from cows, sheep, or goats is less safe than drinking pasteurized milk. But over 4 in 10 Americans either are not sure (25%), think raw milk is "just as safe to drink" as pasteurized milk (12%) or think it is "safer to drink" (6%), according to a recent survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania. The findings are statistically unchanged from APPC's July 2024 survey. Almost a third of people (32%) know that drinking raw milk increases a person's risk of foodborne illness, though 14% think it has no effect and 51% are not sure.

The survey, conducted Jan. 30-Feb. 10, 2025, among more than 1,700 empaneled U.S. adults, also finds that two-thirds (66%) do not know that children are more vulnerable than adults to getting sick from the viruses and bacteria that can occur in raw milk. (See the topline for data.)

"Consuming raw milk and raw milk products can make you sick and pasteurization reduces the risk of milk-borne illness," said Patrick E. Jamieson, director of APPC's Annenberg Health and Risk Communication Institute. "Looking for the pasteurization label before buying or consuming milk or milk products such as cheese is good practice."

Bird Flu

As of October 15, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 72 confirmed human cases of H5 bird flu in the United States since February 2024. Most were linked to contact with infected dairy cattle or poultry. The first U.S. death from H5N1 bird flu was a Louisiana patient in January 2025. To date, there have been no reported cases of human-to-human transmission. When the Annenberg survey was conducted in early 2025, the CDC count stood at 70 cases in 13 states.

Since the virus was first confirmed in dairy cattle in March 2024, H5N1 has been found in more than 1,000 dairy herds across 20 states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the American Veterinary Medical Association. It has also affected well over 166 million commercial and backyard poultry and wild birds since 2022. Globally, the World Health Organization reports that from January 1, 2003, to July 7, 2026, it received reports of 1,000 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) from 25 countries, and 479 of those cases were fatal.

Researchers have found that mice can be infected with bird flu by drinking raw milk. Although the FDA does not currently know whether H5N1 can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of raw milk, a study with mice suggests that the virus in "untreated milk can infect susceptible animals that consume it." The National Institutes of Health says this suggests "that drinking raw milk may pose a risk of transmission to people."

Raw Milk and Bird Flu

Bird flu in raw milk:

The vast majority of U.S. adults do not know that bird flu has been detected to date only in raw milk, not pasteurized milk. Just 17% know that bird flu has been found only in raw milk. Two percent incorrectly say bird flu has been found only in pasteurized milk, 7% say it has been found in both, 7% say it has been found in neither, and over two-thirds of those surveyed (68%) are not sure.

Raw milk and your chances of getting bird flu:

Almost a quarter of people (22%) say drinking raw milk increases the chances you will get H5N1 or bird flu, up from 15% in July 2024, though this is unchanged from November 2024. An equal number (22%) say drinking raw milk has no effect one way or the other on whether you will get bird flu, though fewer people believe that today than in November 2024 (35%). Over half of those surveyed (53%) are not sure what effect drinking raw milk has on getting bird flu, up from 43% in November 2024.

The FDA has said that by heating milk to a specific temperature for a time pasteurization kills harmful bacteria and viruses, and that pasteurization will inactivate the bird flu virus if it is present in raw milk.

Raw milk and Health Claims

APPC's survey, which included non-milk drinkers, finds a small proportion of respondents (4%) who report having consumed raw or unpasteurized milk in the past 12 months, unchanged from our July 2024 survey. Another 2% were not sure whether they had consumed raw milk.

Survey respondents are equally split between those who say raw milk has more nutrients than pasteurized milk (28%) and those who say it has about the same amount of nutrients (28%). Forty percent are not sure. The FDA says pasteurization kills pathogens in raw milk "without any significant impact on milk nutritional quality."

Promoters of raw milk have made many claims about its health benefits - but the FDA has categorized a number of them as misconceptions, as is explained here (current as of March 5, 2025). Though minorities believe in these claims, the survey finds that many more people - about half of U.S. adults or more - are not sure whether the claims are true or false:

• Bone thinning (osteoporosis): About 1 in 4 people (26%) believe that raw milk is "about as effective" as pasteurized milk at preventing osteoporosis, although 10% incorrectly believe raw milk is more effective and 59% are unsure. The FDA says raw milk is not more effective than pasteurized milk at preventing osteoporosis.
• Lactose intolerance: 40% believe that it is false to say that regularly consuming raw, unpasteurized milk cures lactose intolerance. But 10% incorrectly say this is true and 50% are not sure. The FDA says raw milk does not cure lactose intolerance.
• Asthma: 39% believe it is false to say that regularly consuming raw milk reduces the symptoms of asthma, but 7% believe it is true and 54% are not sure. The FDA says that raw milk does not cure or treat asthma and allergy.
• Immune system: 30% believe it is false to say that regularly consuming raw milk enhances the human immune system, but 23% think it is true and 47% are not sure. The FDA says raw milk "is not an immune system building food and is particularly unsafe for children," who are usually more vulnerable to pathogens in raw milk than adults.
• Children's vulnerability to sickness: About a third (35%) know that children are typically more vulnerable than adults to getting sick from the viruses and bacteria that can occur in raw milk. But 5% incorrectly think they are less vulnerable, 16% think they are "about as vulnerable," and 45% are not sure.

Government Regulation of Raw Milk

The FDA has prohibited the interstate sale of raw milk since 1987, but 30 states in the United States allow its sale in some form, according to the FDA. Survey respondents were asked for their views on government regulation of raw milk sales and sellers:

Interstate raw milk sales

Nearly a quarter of those surveyed (24%) favor the interstate sale of raw milk, and a slightly larger group (28%) opposes it, statistically unchanged from September 2024. Nearly half of respondents either are not sure (18%) or neither favor nor oppose it (29%).

Raw milk sales within a state

Nearly a quarter (24%) favor the unrestricted sale of raw milk in the state in which they live, and another quarter (25%) say the sale of raw milk should be banned, except for farmers selling from their own dairy herds on their own land. Fourteen percent say the sale of raw milk should be banned in their states, and 37% are not sure.

Government intrusion

Nearly a third (32%) agree that federal government regulations of raw unpasteurized milk are "another example of unnecessary government intrusion in people's lives," while a like number (34%) disagree. A third (33%) neither agree nor disagree.

The rights of raw milk sellers

A quarter (25%) agree that state laws prohibiting the sale of raw milk violate the constitutional rights of raw milk sellers, while a third (34%) disagree, and 41% neither agree nor disagree. (Asked of a random half-sample.)

Warning labels

Over half (56%) do not think that state laws requiring labels on raw milk containers warning about the risks of consuming raw milk violate the constitutional rights of raw milk sellers, while 14% think the state laws do violate their rights. Nearly a third (30%) neither agree nor disagree. (Asked of a random half-sample.)

USDA testing of raw milk

Asked in how many of the states the U.S. Department of Agriculture is testing raw milk for bird flu virus, 74% are not sure. Two percent say "none," and a quarter of those surveyed say either "some" (10%), "most" (9%), or "all" (5%). As of Jan. 8, 2025, the USDA says its National Milk Testing Strategy has enrolled 28 states, accounting for nearly 65% of the nation's milk production. When the survey was fielded in early 2025, the USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy had enrolled 28 states. Participation has since grown to cover most of the country. Readers can find current testing status and herd detections on the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website.

APPC's Annenberg Science and Public Health Knowledge Survey

The survey data come from the 23rd wave of a nationally representative panel of 1,716 U.S. adults conducted for the Annenberg Public Policy Center by SSRS, an independent market research company. Most have been empaneled since April 2021. To account for attrition, replenishment samples have been added over time using a random probability sampling design. The most recent replenishment, in September 2024, added 360 respondents to the sample. This wave of the Annenberg Science and Public Health Knowledge (ASAPH) survey was fielded Jan. 30-Feb. 10, 2025. The margin of sampling error (MOE) is ± 3.4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. All figures are rounded to the nearest whole number and may not add to 100%. Combined subcategories may not add to totals in the topline and text due to rounding.

The policy center has been tracking the American public's knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors regarding vaccination, Covid-19, flu, RSV, and other consequential health issues through this survey panel for nearly four years. In addition to Jamieson, APPC's team on the survey includes research analysts Laura A. Gibson and Shawn Patterson Jr.; Ken Winneg, managing director of survey research; and Kathleen Hall Jamieson, the director of APPC.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

Can heating raw milk at home kill bird flu?

High heat does inactivate influenza viruses, but home heating is not as controlled or reliable as commercial pasteurization, which uses set temperatures and times. Buying milk and cheese already labeled pasteurized is the safer choice.

Does freezing raw milk kill the bird flu virus?

No. Freezing does not reliably kill viruses or bacteria, and influenza viruses can survive cold storage. Raw milk that has been frozen carries the same risks once it is thawed.

Can pets get bird flu from raw milk?

Yes. Cats on dairy farms and pet cats fed raw milk or raw pet food have become seriously ill or died from H5N1. Veterinarians advise against giving pets raw milk or raw food products during outbreaks.

What are the symptoms of bird flu in people?

Reported symptoms include red or irritated eyes, fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and fatigue. Some people develop severe pneumonia, so anyone with symptoms after exposure to sick animals or raw milk should contact a doctor.

Are antiviral medicines effective against H5N1 bird flu?

The CDC recommends prompt treatment with flu antivirals such as oseltamivir for people with suspected or confirmed bird flu infection. Treatment works best when started as early as possible after symptoms begin.

Why is raw milk especially risky during pregnancy?

Raw milk can carry Listeria, a bacterium that can cross the placenta and cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth or serious infection in newborns. Pregnant people are far more likely than others to get listeriosis.

How can I tell if milk or cheese is pasteurized?

Check the package label for the word pasteurized. Be cautious at farm stands, farmers markets and specialty shops, where raw milk and raw milk cheeses may be sold, and ask the seller if no label is present.

What should I do if I get sick after drinking raw milk?

Contact a healthcare provider and tell them you consumed raw milk so they can test for the right germs. You can also report the illness to your local health department to help track possible outbreaks.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The survey shows that the biggest problem is not that people believe raw milk is safe but that most simply do not know - 74% could not say whether the USDA is testing raw milk for bird flu, and more than half were unsure if drinking it raises the risk of infection. That uncertainty arrived as H5N1 spread through nearly a thousand dairy herds in 17 states and more than 166 million birds by early 2025, with 70 confirmed human cases and one death reported in the U.S. at the time. Views on regulation were just as divided, with roughly a third calling federal raw milk rules unnecessary government intrusion and a similar share disagreeing, though a clear majority saw no problem with state warning labels. For households that include young children, older adults or people with disabilities and compromised immunity, the practical takeaway is simple and backed by the FDA - check for the word pasteurized on milk and cheese labels, since pasteurization inactivates bird flu without meaningfully reducing nutritional value.*

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally issued as a press release by Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania and published on 14 Mar 2025. Last updated on 18 Oct 2026. This content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.