Spread of bird flu in the US sparks expanded mass testing of dairy products READ MORE: The foods that have and have not tested positive for H5N1 By Luke Andrews Senior Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com Published: 14:01 EDT, 26 June 2024 | Updated: 14:04 EDT, 26 June 2024 e-mail 2 View comments Ice cream, butter and cheese are among the latest products set to be tested for bird flu by the FDA — amid a rampant outbreak in dairy cows. In a release, the agency revealed it would swab 155 products bought from grocery stores nationwide for traces of the H5N1 virus.
If any are positive for the virus, further tests will be carried out to determine whether the virus inside them is 'alive' — or able to cause an infection in humans. The expanded testing builds on previous, which found the virus in grocery store milks, cottage cheeses and sour creams, but in every case, the virus was 'dead' and unable to cause an infection in humans. Ground beef, infant formula and powdered milk were also all swabbed for the virus and all tested negative.
A checkmark indicates foods that have tested positive for bird flu, while an X indicates those that have been tested for bird flu but were not found to contain the virus More than 120 dairy herds across the US have now tested positive for bird flu , triggering increased concerns among health officials over the virus entering this country's food supply. Officials have so far suggested the risk to the public is 'low' because dairy products are pasteuri.
