A second strain of bird flu, D1.1, has been detected in the western US, raising concerns among experts about public health prevention. The virus was found in cattle for the first time and has also been linked to a human case in Nevada.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the risk to the general public is low, but infectious disease experts are warning of potential mutations that could lead to human-to-human transmission. The discovery of D1.1 has sparked concerns about the virus’s ability to adapt and spread among birds and cattle.
Dr. Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis Health, says the detection of D1.1 should result in increased surveillance and monitoring. “The more that occurs, there’s a higher risk of developing further mutations that may facilitate human-to-human transmission,” he warned.
Experts also point to the potential for migratory birds to transmit the virus to other parts of the country. Dr. Benjamin Anderson notes that each new case presents opportunities for mutation, which could lead to a strain more infectious or conducive to human-to-human transmission.
However, researchers are cautiously optimistic about the D1.1 strain. Dr. Michael Payne, a researcher at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, reports no mutations in the virus found in Nevada cattle, which increases confidence in disease control measures.
The US needs to boost its surveillance and detection systems to better track the spread of D1.1. Increased testing for asymptomatic workers is crucial, but more studies are needed to understand the extent of asymptomatic infection. By ramping up surveillance and coordination across states, experts hope to prevent a potential pandemic.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/2nd-bird-flu-virus-detected-western-us-prevention/story?id=118791338