A second type of bird flu has been detected in US dairy cows for the first time, according to the USDA. The new form, known as D1.1, was previously only found in wild birds and poultry. The detection was made through the national milk testing program launched in early December.
According to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, there have been a total of 957 confirmed cattle infections in 16 states, with 36 new cases reported in California and Nevada over the past 30 days.
The D1.1 strain has also shown potential for human infection, with one patient dying earlier this year in Louisiana after being exposed to a backyard flock. However, health officials say the risk to the general public remains low and there is no evidence of human-to-human spread.
The USDA launched its National Milk Testing Strategy last year to boost surveillance of the nation’s milk supply and dairy herds. The agency said that the detection does not change its bird flu eradication strategy and highlights the effectiveness of the program.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/us-dairy-cows-infected-2nd-form-bird-flu/story?id=118507519