The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has begun testing cheese made from raw cow’s milk for the bird flu virus. The agency is collecting 300 samples of aged raw milk cheese, which will be tested using a PCR test to detect genetic material from the virus. Positive samples will undergo viability testing, injecting part of the virus into an embryonated egg to see if it grows or multiplies.
The FDA has deemed unpasteurized cheeses and other products made with raw milk as “high-risk” due to concerns about the transmission of bird flu viruses through these products. Pasteurization kills 99% of commercial milk, but there is limited research on whether pasteurization can kill the bird flu virus.
As part of a broader response to the outbreak, the FDA may impose measures such as recalls or inspections to protect public health. This comes after the Department of Agriculture issued a federal order requiring samples of raw milk to be collected and shared with the FDA for testing.
The agency’s efforts aim to address concerns about unpasteurized cheeses and other products made from raw milk, which are often used in human consumption despite being considered high-risk. The collection period is expected to finish by the end of March, although it may be extended if needed.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/fda-bird-flu-raw-cheese-symptoms-b2672387.html