A highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain, known as H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, has crossed into US dairy cattle through a single spillover event from a wild bird, raising pandemic concerns. The virus, which is also found in other animals such as poultry and raccoons, has adapted to mammals, infecting cats and birds as well.
Genetic data show that the virus jumped between cattle and other species without being detected for months. Researchers believe that this single spillover event was enough to cause widespread transmission of the virus across multiple states.
Infectious H5N1 strains pose significant risks to animal health, agriculture, and potentially human health due to their ability to cross species barriers. The World Health Organization has warned that such events could lead to a pandemic.
Tracking the outbreak, scientists have found that the strain arrived in North America in 2021 but didn’t infect dairy cattle until mid-to-late 2023. The virus then spread rapidly within the US cattle population before jumping into other species.
The rapid evolution of this H5N1 strain, known to cause serious risks to animal and human health, has raised alarm among researchers. They are now calling for urgent public health responses to mitigate potential pandemic risk.
This viral strain has already caused significant harm globally by infecting wild birds, poultry, and mammals, including a small number of humans.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-found-bird-flu-in-dairy-cows-heres-why-thats-terrifying