A recent study published in Nature Microbiology has found that a new strain of the H5N1 avian flu virus, isolated from an infected Texas dairy worker, shows increased ability to transmit by air compared to older strains. The researchers tested six different viruses, including a wild-type zoonotic Indonesian H5N1 virus and two modified versions of the virus, in ferrets.
The study’s results show that only one of the newer strains, isolated from a 2024 H5N1 virus from a Texas dairy worker and an Ohio dairy cow, was efficiently shed by ferrets in the air. The researchers observed similar shedding patterns to those found in ferret-to-ferret transmission studies, suggesting that the new strain may be more transmissible.
The study’s findings highlight the importance of understanding how this virus spreads among cattle and its potential for mammalian adaptation and airborne transmission. With ongoing epizootic outbreaks in cattle and high-risk exposure for farm workers, dairy farmers, and domestic animals, it is crucial to develop effective outbreak control strategies and prioritize public health safety.
The researchers emphasized that their study’s results have implications for the management of this virus and the development of new control measures.
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/ferret-study-suggests-connection-between-h5n1-shedding-air-and