Category: Featured Headlines
Bird Flu Outbreak in Cattle May Have Begun Months Earlier Than Thought
New York Times A single spillover, from a bird to a cow, led to the infections, a review of genetic data has found. The bird flu outbreak in American dairy cattle may have begun in January, or even as early as December, a new analysis of genetic data suggests. The Department of Agriculture announced in late […]
Apr 24, 2024
USDA releases H5N1 bird flu genetic data eagerly awaited by scientists
STAT Helen Branswell The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has been under pressure from scientists both at home and abroad to share more data on the H5N1 bird flu outbreaks in dairy cows, uploaded a large number of genetic sequences of the pathogen late Sunday. The excitement that news generated in the scientific community quickly gave way to frustration, […]
Apr 23, 2024
Genetic analysis reveals H5N1 flu virus outbreak in cows likely started earlier than thought
STAT Helen Branswell The H5N1 bird flu outbreak in dairy cows in the United States has likely been going on for months longer than was previously realized, and has probably spread more widely across the country than the confirmed outbreaks would imply, according to an analysis of genetic sequences that were released Sunday by the U.S. Department […]
Apr 23, 2024
Updates on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
FDA Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a disease that is highly contagious and often deadly in poultry, caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5) and A (H7) viruses; it is also known as bird or avian flu. HPAI viruses can be transmitted by wild birds to domestic poultry and other bird and animal […]
Apr 23, 2024
Bird flu is spreading to more farm animals. Are milk and eggs safe?
AP A bird flu outbreak in U.S. dairy cows has spread to more than two dozen herds in eight states A bird flu outbreak in U.S. dairy cows has grown to affect more than two dozen herds in eight states, just weeks after the nation’s largest egg producer found the virus in its chickens. Health officials stress that the […]
Apr 23, 2024
USDA Publishes H5N1 Influenza A Virus Genetic Sequences on publicly available site
USDA Today, the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories made available 239 genetic sequences from the U.S. H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b influenza virus recently found in samples associated with the ongoing highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak in poultry and wild birds, and the recent H5N1 event in dairy cattle. APHIS routinely publishes influenza genetic sequence data […]
Apr 21, 2024
Crossing Species: The Rising Threat of H5N1 Bird Flu in the U.S.
NY Academy of Sciences The CDC recently confirmed a human case of HPAI A (H5N1) in Texas. Renowned epidemiologist Syra Madad and distinguished virologist Jason Kindrachuk offer tips to farmers, animal caretakers, and the general public on how to avoid contracting and spreading this strain of avian influenza. Avian influenza H5N1, commonly known as bird […]
Apr 17, 2024
UCalgary vet med researchers closely monitoring reports of avian influenza virus spillover
University of Calgary Number of cases negligible but continued diagnostic testing and collaboration with producers are keys to ensuring community health, experts say. ecent reports coming out of the U.S. of avian influenza virus (H5N1) being found in cattle has been garnering attention. First noted in mid-March as a “mystery illness” when a handful of […]
Apr 16, 2024
What’s Surprising and Scary About Avian Influenza Right Now?
One Health Trust Bird flu – aka avian influenza – is doing what it does best yet again – surprising scientists, public health officials, farmers, and wildlife experts. It’s been spreading among dairy cattle in the United States, something that startles even long-term observers of the virus. The H5N1 strain of avian influenza was first noticed in the late […]
Apr 16, 2024
White House expands its global pandemic prevention efforts
ABC The U.S. will work with other countries to improve infectious disease testing and surveillance before outbreaks can threaten to become pandemics. The White House plans to expand coordination and support to 50 countries in a new worldwide effort to spot and stop pandemic risks. The Biden administration will work with other countries on a […]
Apr 16, 2024