CDC reports on the number of human H5N1 bird flu cases

FDA Tests 300 Samples of 60-Day Aged Raw Milk Cheese for H5N1 Bird Flu Amid U.S. Outbreak

Dec 31, 2024, 05:57 AM

The U.S. is facing an outbreak of bird flu, with the H5N1 virus affecting both poultry and dairy cattle across multiple states. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated a nationwide testing program for bird flu in aged raw cow's milk cheese, aiming to collect 300 samples by the end of March 2025. This follows a federal order from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to test raw milk samples for the virus. The FDA's testing involves PCR tests and viability assessments to determine the presence and activity of the virus in cheese products aged for at least 60 days. The outbreak has also led to a significant drop in U.S. egg production, with November's output falling by 4% year-over-year, contributing to rising egg prices. The USDA reported that 8.92 billion eggs were produced in November, with 7.68 billion being table eggs and 1.24 billion hatching eggs. The number of egg-laying hens also decreased by 3% from the previous year. Additionally, the CDC has identified a concerning mutation in a human case of bird flu in Louisiana, the first severe case in the U.S., suggesting the virus may be adapting to infect humans more easily. A total of 66 human cases have been reported across 16 states, with California having the highest number at 36 cases. However, no human-to-human transmission has been confirmed, and the risk to the general public remains low according to the CDC.