Virology
Bird flu virus persists in raw milk cheese after aging
Researchers have found that the H5N1 avian influenza virus can survive in raw milk cheese made from contaminated milk, even after the FDA's required 60-day aging period. Highly acidic cheeses, such as feta, showed no detectable virus, highlighting acidity's role in safety. The study, published in Nature Medicine, also indicates that while drinking contaminated milk can infect animals, eating the cheese does not.