Lithuania warns of raw milk dangers, potential source of dangerous virus

Lithuania's State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT) is alerting the public to the dangers of consuming raw, unpasteurized milk. The agency strongly advises that such milk must be heated to boiling point before it is consumed.

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raw, unpasteurized milk must be heated to boiling before consumption.

According to specialists, cows, sheep, and goats can naturally carry various disease-causing agents. These pathogens can easily contaminate milk during the milking process. One significant risk highlighted is tick-borne encephalitis, a virus that can be contracted not only from a tick bite but also from consuming unpasteurized milk and its derivatives.

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Cows, sheep or goats can naturally carry various disease-causing agents, which can enter the milk during milking.

The VMVT points to registered cases of tick-borne encephalitis in Lithuania, some of which were directly linked to the consumption of raw milk products. The virus's resilience is a major concern, as it can remain active in refrigerated raw milk, posing a continued threat to consumers.

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one of the risks is tick-borne encephalitis, which can be contracted not only from a tick bite but also from consuming unpasteurized (raw) goat or cow milk and its products.