The Plymouth Board of Health meeting on May 22, 2024, focused on several public health concerns, including the detection of virus fragments in store-bought milk and updates on COVID-19 variants.

Health officials reported that fragments of H5N1 virus were found in 20% of milk samples tested from various grocery chains across Massachusetts, including popular stores like Trader Joe's and Stop and Shop. However, no virus fragments were detected in milk sourced from New England farms. The findings highlight the reliance on out-of-state milk due to a decline in local dairy farms. Officials emphasized that pasteurization effectively inactivates these viruses, underscoring the health risks associated with consuming raw milk.

In addition to the milk safety discussion, the meeting addressed the emergence of new COVID-19 variants. While current COVID-19 levels in the U.S. are at their lowest since the pandemic began, health officials expressed caution regarding the potential impact of these variants, particularly as summer approaches. One variant mentioned, known as KP2, is part of a group called FLIRT variants, though the risks associated with these new strains remain uncertain.

The meeting also touched on HPV testing availability, with a cost of $69 for at-home testing kits, which officials deemed reasonable for those seeking timely health assessments.

Overall, the discussions highlighted ongoing public health challenges and the importance of staying informed about food safety and emerging health threats.