No Evidence for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus in Direct-To-Consumer Raw Cow’s Milk Samples in Switzerland

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Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 has been detected in dairy cattle in the United States, with high viral loads observed in milk from infected animals. This raises public health concerns regarding potential transmission through exposure to raw milk. The sale of raw milk via vending machines represents a well-established distribution model in many European countries, including Switzerland. Although a notice must be posted on these milk vending machines stating that it is raw milk, together with appropriate processing instructions (heating to over 70 °C required, storage below 5 °C, consumption within 3 days), these notices are sometimes missing, and consumers often do not follow these guidelines. Over a four-month period, spanning from June 2025 to September 2025, 124 raw milk samples were collected from vending machines across Switzerland. Samples were screened for influenza A using reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). No samples tested positive for influenza A virus. The data from this study demonstrate the feasibility of implementing a sampling and detection system for HPAIV H5N1 in direct-to consumer raw milk samples and highlight the currently very low risk of HPAIV in raw milk samples sold via vending machines in Switzerland.

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