Overview

• The FDA is collecting 300 samples of aged raw cow's milk cheese from warehouses and distribution centers nationwide to test for the H5N1 bird flu virus.
• Testing will involve PCR methods to detect viral genetic material, with further viability testing conducted on positive samples to assess the virus's activity.
• The agency may implement recalls, inspections, or other measures if viable virus is detected in any cheese samples.
• The U.S. has reported 66 confirmed human cases of bird flu, with most linked to direct contact with infected livestock, and California recording the highest number of cases.
• The FDA advises against consuming raw milk products, citing the higher risk of contamination with pathogens, while nearly all U.S. commercial milk undergoes pasteurization.