At least four flocks of cattle in Nevada have tested positive for an H5N1 avian flu strain never seen in cows, state agriculture officials confirmed on Wednesday and respiratory symptoms such as cough and sneezing have been reported.
That avian flu strain, called D1.1 by scientists, was also linked to a fatal human case In Louisiana Last year after exposure to sick birds. The D1.1 strain has emerged in recent months to dominate infections in wild birds and poultry flocks in North America.
The symptoms observed in humans infected with D1.1 have been more serious than the anterior avian flu strain that has spread in the cows. That strain, called B3.13, has brought only to mild symptoms, such as pink eye and fever, in infected humans after contact with sick cows.
Investigation suggestions It is less likely that B3.13 will result in severe diseases for humans, unlike other avian flu strains abroad. The risk is different for other animals, such as Pet catswhich have frequently died after exposure to food and milk contaminated with B3.13.
The discovery of the propagation of the Aviar flu strain D1.1 In cows it also increases the previous theories floated by the United States health and agriculture officials that the spill of the virus in wild bird cows was an event was an event unique and unique.
All cases of avian flu in cows from a spill in Texas at the end of 2023 had previously been linked only to B3.13, that officials have cited as evidence that the new variants of the virus were not being extended repeatedly in cows of the Birds
“The detection does not change the HPAI Eradication Strategy of the USDA”, the Animal and Vegetable Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture saying On Wednesday, citing the Federal Government’s plan to try to stop the unprecedented increase in highly pathogenic influenza, or HPAI, in recent years.
In addition to the threat to human health that represents the virus, a unprecedented cost Claimed by the indirect effects of D1.1 of wild birds on chickens has led egg prices A naughty field.
To date, the USDA has confirmed that almost a thousand flocks have been confirmed by Aviar flu, the USDA sayswith detections in 16 states. The most recent cases have been in California.
The four new herds of cattle infected by D1.1 were reported in Churchill County of Nevada, said a spokesman for the State Agriculture Department.
The avian flu was also reported in December of a herd in Nye County of the State, although those cows ended positive for strain B3.13 of the virus.
Nevada spokesman said that two additional herds in Churchill County have also been placed in quarantine, waiting for the results of the USDA laboratory.
“The symptoms of H5N1 D1.1 have been similar to the detections of B3.13. These include fever, reduced food consumption, reduction of milk production and soft respiratory signs (cough, sneezing, liquid nose)”, Ciara Rile , Spokderson of the Nevada Department of Agriculture, he said about the symptoms of the cows.
It was confirmed that these herds were infected as a result of a state investigation, said the USDA, after a silo that had received milk from the cows positive for the virus.
“The USDA ABHIS continues to work with the Nevada Agriculture Department conducting additional investigation in the farm, tests and collecting additional epidemiological information to better understand this detection and limit a greater propagation of diseases,” said the USDA.
It is not clear how many workers in the state they may have been exposed to strain D1.1 After working with those sick cows.
A spokesman for the Nevada Department of Health sent a request to the Nevada Central Health District, who did not immediately respond to a request for comments.
The centers for disease control and prevention say that 40 of the 67 confirmed cases of human avian flu since 2024 They have been linked to exposure to sick dairy cows with the virus. Most of the others have been the result of exposure to infected poultry.
In press release Last month, the Nevada Agriculture Department said that CDCs “argue that the risk for humans is still low” and that it was “working with state and county health officials to protect health and human security.”
A CDC spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comments when asked if the D1.1 spill changes that risk assessment.
“It is essential that animal health biosafety practices are improved to help prevent disease spread and protect the safety of animals and workers,” said state veterinarian Peter Rolfe.
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