Category: Avian Influenza
Elephant seals won’t recover from bird flu for 100 years
The Wildlife Society A colony of southern elephant seals lost nearly all its newborn pups in 2023 to the virus Avian flu has devastated a colony of southern elephant seals in Argentina—so much that it may take a century for the marine mammals to recover. High Pathogenic Avian Influenza ripped through the southern elephant seal […]
Apr 30, 2025
Emergence and interstate spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in dairy cattle in the United States
Science High-pathogenicity avian influenza subtype H5N1 is now present throughout the US, and possibly beyond. More cattle infections elevate the risk of the virus evolving the capacity to transmit between humans, potentially with high fatality rates. Nguyen et al. show that from a single transmission event from a wild bird to dairy cattle in December 2023, […]
Apr 30, 2025
Biosecurity Uptake and Perceived Risk of Avian Influenza
Global Biodefense UK study shows biosecurity measures routinely implemented to limit disease spread among birds, but not with the primary view to limit zoonotic transmission from birds to humans. A recent preprint study from the University of Bristol sheds light on the biosecurity practices of individuals in the UK who regularly come into contact with birds. While […]
Apr 30, 2025
I survived bird flu – this is what it’s like: My whole skull was THROBBING
Daily Mail A middle-aged man who survived bird flu has revealed the horrific infection—which killed his brother—left him feeling as if his ‘whole skull was throbbing’. The virus, also known as H5N1, is currently spreading across the US and has reached the UK triggering global health chiefs today to warn of an impending pandemic. At present the […]
Apr 30, 2025
Poland culls 11.5 million poultry in response to avian influenza outbreak
TVP Poland has culled 11.5 million poultry as a countermeasure against avian influenza outbreaks, the Agriculture Ministry reported on Sunday. Avian influenza (bird flu) is a serious, contagious viral disease primarily affecting birds, especially poultry. It can be highly deadly and occasionally infect humans. Newcastle Disease, another viral illness affecting birds, is also often fatal, […]
Apr 30, 2025
Colorado State University studies increased threat of avian flu amid rise in household cat infections, deaths
CBS News The threat of the avian flu continues to increase as household cats are experiencing increased levels of infections and deaths. Researchers at Colorado State University are helping Colorado and other states study the virus, also known as bird flu, in animals. “We are doing the testing in our bio safety level three laboratory,” said […]
Apr 30, 2025
US CDC cancels science group workshop on preventing human bird flu infections
Reuters The National Academy of Sciences has canceled a workshop on preventing human bird flu infections after being told to stop work on the event by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to an email sent to one of the workshop presenters and seen by Reuters. Bird flu has infected 70 people, […]
Apr 30, 2025
Hidden transmission of avian influenza virus H5N1 found in Texas dairy cattle
Medical Express Scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Disease Center, with multiple academic, state and federal collaborators, identified the emergence and interstate spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) in dairy cattle. Genetic analysis confirms that a reassortment event in wild birds preceded a single transmission to cattle, after which asymptomatic or […]
Apr 30, 2025
Most Human H5 Bird Flu Cases in CA Had Exposure to Sick Cows
IDSE All but one case of people infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus in California have occurred in dairy workers who were exposed to sick cows, according to a new CDC report. The first human case of HPAI A(H5N1) virus in California was identified in September 2024. From Sept. 30 through Dec. 24, 2024, […]
Apr 23, 2025
Bird flu studies show variant from 2016 was one mutation away from binding to human receptors
Medical Express A variant of the bird flu virus, collected in 2016 and no longer in circulation, was just one mutation away from being able to bind to human receptors. This finding underscores that certain bird flu strains have the potential to cross over to humans and possibly trigger a pandemic. The variant currently circulating […]
Apr 23, 2025