Bird Flu Spillover New Type of H5N1 Detected in US Dairy Cows Let me know if you'd like to make any changes to the title!

Bird Flu Spillover New Type of H5N1 Detected in US Dairy Cows

The recent detection of a new type of bird flu, known as D1.1, in dairy cows in Nevada has raised concerns about the potential for wider spread and the difficulty of controlling infections in animals and people who work closely with them.

According to Agriculture Department officials, this new type of H5N1 is distinct from the version that has been detected in US herds since last year. The detection indicates that distinct forms of the virus have spilled over from wild birds into cattle at least twice, raising questions about the wider spread and control of infections.

Richard Webby, an influenza expert at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, commented on the surprise of finding multiple instances of bird-to-cow transmission I always thought one bird-to-cow transmission was a very rare event. Seems that may not be the case. This new detection highlights the importance of testing and continued surveillance to prevent the spread of the virus.

The D1.1 version of the virus has been linked to the first US death tied to bird flu and 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.

At least 67 people in the US have been infected with bird flu, mostly those who work closely with dairy or cattle. The detection of this new type of H5N1 raises concerns about the potential for further spread and highlights the importance of prompt sharing of information about the virus.

Key Takeaways

A new type of bird flu, known as D1.1, has been detected in dairy cows in Nevada.
This is the second time that distinct forms of H5N1 have spilled over from wild birds into cattle.
The detection raises concerns about wider spread and control of infections in animals and people who work closely with them.
At least 67 people in the US have been infected with bird flu, mostly those who work closely with dairy or cattle.

What's Next

The USDA will post genetic sequences and other information about the new form of the virus to a public repository later this week. Scientists believe that this sharing of information is key to understanding whether the spillover was a recent event or whether the virus has been circulating, perhaps widely, for longer.

Expert Insights

Richard Webby, an influenza expert at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, noted that one bird-to-cow transmission was always thought to be a very rare event. Seems that may not be the case.
Angela Rasmussen, a virus expert at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, emphasized the importance of testing and continued testing Now we know why it's really important to test and continue testing.
Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona who has studied the H5N1 virus in cattle, highlighted the urgency of prompt sharing of information about the virus It could trigger a pandemic that could 'make COVID seem like a walk in the park'.

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