Second Type of Bird Flu Detected in US Dairy Cows
Dairy cattle in Nevada have been infected with a new type of bird flu that’s different from the version that has spread in U.S. herds since last year, Agriculture Department officials said Wednesday.
Distinct Forms of the Virus
Experts said it raises new questions about wider spread and the difficulty of controlling infections in animals and the people who work closely with them.
“I always thought one bird-to-cow transmission was a very rare event. Seems that may not be the case,” said Richard Webby, an influenza expert at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Two Different Strains of H5N1
A version of the H5N1 bird flu virus known as B3.13 was confirmed in March after being introduced to cattle in late 2023, scientists said. It has infected more than 950 herds in 16 states. The new version, known as D1.1, was confirmed in Nevada cattle on Friday, according to USDA. It was detected in milk collected as part of a surveillance program launched in December.
Human Infections Linked to Bird Flu
The D1.1 version of the virus was the type linked to the first U.S. death tied to bird flu and a severe illness in Canada. A person in Louisiana died in January after developing severe respiratory symptoms following contact with wild and backyard birds. In British Columbia, a teen girl was hospitalized for months with a virus traced to poultry.
Global Concerns
At least 67 people in the U.S. have been infected with bird flu, mostly those who work closely with dairy or cattle, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
USDA Response
USDA officials said they would post genetic sequences and other information about the new form of the virus to a public repository later this week. Scientists said that would be key to understanding whether the spillover was a recent event or whether the virus has been circulating, perhaps widely, for longer.
Calls for Transparency
“If this turns out to have been something that crossed into cattle a couple months ago, a couple months is a long time not to detect it,” said Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona who has studied the H5N1 virus in cattle.
He added that it’s important for federal officials to share promptly information about a virus that has the potential to trigger a pandemic that could “make COVID seem like a walk in the park.”
Conclusion
The detection of a second type of bird flu in US dairy cows highlights the complexity of the virus and the need for continued surveillance and transparency. As the world grapples with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial that we remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the threat posed by bird flu.
FAQs
* What is the new type of bird flu detected in US dairy cows?
The new type of bird flu is known as D1.1 and is different from the version that has spread in U.S. herds since last year.
* How many people in the U.S. have been infected with bird flu?
At least 67 people in the U.S. have been infected with bird flu, mostly those who work closely with dairy or cattle.
* What is the significance of the detection of a second type of bird flu?
The detection of a second type of bird flu highlights the complexity of the virus and the need for continued surveillance and transparency. It also raises new questions about wider spread and the difficulty of controlling infections in animals and the people who work closely with them.
