The Food and Drug Administration has begun testing aged raw cow’s milk cheese for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1), also known as bird flu. This move comes in response to a bird flu outbreak in several states that is impacting poultry, dairy cows, and people across the U.S. Raw milk cheese, which is made with unpasteurized milk, must be aged for a minimum of 60 days to mitigate the risk from any pathogens, if present.
The FDA will collect hundreds of samples from warehouses and distribution hubs throughout the country, but will not collect samples at retail locations. The testing is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the cheese supply.
The bird flu outbreak has also led to human cases, including a severe case in Louisiana that has hospitalized an elderly patient. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it appears the bird flu virus mutated in the victim, making it easier for the virus to infect the upper airways of humans.
The total number of infections in the United States during the current 2024 outbreak is 61, with other patients experiencing mild symptoms and recovering at home. The severity of the Louisiana case has heightened alarm, echoing similar cases worldwide. Additionally, a domestic cat recently died from bird flu after eating frozen raw pet food.
