The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has started collecting samples of aged raw cow’s milk cheese across the country, with a goal of gathering 300 samples by March 2025. The agency is testing these samples for bird flu using a PCR test.
Raw milk cheese made from unpasteurized milk is considered a “high-risk choice” due to its potential to carry pathogens like bird flu. In contrast, pasteurization kills viruses and bacteria, including the bird flu virus.
The FDA has been monitoring an outbreak of bird flu in the US since April 2024, with over 60 human cases confirmed across seven states. The majority of these cases were mild and resolved after treatment with antiviral medication.
The agency plans to collect samples from warehouses and distribution centers that store raw cow’s milk cheese aged for at least 60 days. Samples will be tested for the virus, and if positive, undergo viability testing.
Source: https://abc7.com/post/fda-begins-testing-aged-raw-cows-milk-cheese-samples-nationwide-bird-flu/15733643