US Officials Investigate New Bird Flu Strain on California Duck Farm
US officials are investigating a strain of bird flu identified in the US for the first time, a worrying sign that the virus is evolving in ways that could make it harder to contain.
First Confirmed Case of H5N9 in Poultry in the US
The case was detected on a duck farm in Merced County, California, according to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). This is the first confirmed case of H5N9 in poultry in the US.
Scientists Worry About Delayed Information Release
The California case wasn’t announced by US health officials, as the Trump administration has paused government communications on health topics pending a political review. Scientists worry that this could delay the release of essential information to the public, including about disease outbreaks.
Concerns About the New Strain
New strains of bird flu are concerning as the disease has caused hundreds of deaths in people over the years, mainly via exposure to infected animals. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and state officials are investigating the case. A more common bird flu strain, H5N1, has recently been spreading in US farm animals, although severe cases in people have been rare.
Understanding H5N9
H5N9 is a subtype of bird flu, and a version that appeared in China more than a decade ago was "highly pathogenic," according to a 2015 academic paper by researchers in the country. The H5N9 version is thought to come from a genetic combination of other bird flu viruses, including H5N1.
US Officials’ Response
US officials are required to report diseases in animals to the OIE, according to the USDA website. The USDA didn’t respond to requests for comment on why it didn’t report the case publicly.
Conclusion
The discovery of H5N9 in the US is a worrying sign that the virus is evolving in ways that could make it harder to contain. Scientists are concerned about the potential risks to human health and the delay in releasing information to the public.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is H5N9?
A: H5N9 is a subtype of bird flu that has been detected for the first time in the US.
Q: What is the concern about the new strain?
A: The concern is that H5N9 may be more contagious or virulent than other bird flu strains, making it harder to contain and potentially posing a risk to human health.
Q: What is being done to address the outbreak?
A: The US Department of Agriculture and state officials are investigating the case, and scientists are working to understand the genetic makeup of the virus.
Q: What is the risk to human health?
A: The risk to human health is currently considered low, but scientists are monitoring the situation closely to determine if the virus can jump between species.
