Discussion thread: H5N1 avian flu in US dairy cows including human cases (poultry, dairy workers) - March 24, 2024 +

[Treyfish]

Avian influenza gene found in Forsyth County wastewater discharge; dairy cattle suspected source

May 29, 2024 | 12:52 pm ET
By Lisa Sorg​

​​​​​​A gene found in a strain of avian influenza – H5N1 – was detected in industrial discharge from the Forsyth County/ Winston-Salem wastewater treatment plant last month, scientists found, coinciding with an outbreak in a herd of dairy cattle in west-central North Carolina.

Scientists at Stanford and Emory universities published their findings May 20 in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters. “It is the first study to suggest H5N1 is detectable in wastewater and provides evidence for potential sources,” the scientists wrote. “This work can aid in the response to the current avian influenza outbreak.”

The gene was also present in wastewater from two other treatment plants in Amarillo, Texas, and Dallas County, Texas, where dairy cattle were also sickened.
​.....
​​​​​​In Forsyth County, the uptick in H5N1 genetic material in wastewater occurred from April 5 through April 17; that coincided with the first report of the virus in a North Carolina cattle herd on April 9.

The herd was directly linked to the Texas outbreak, which occurred on March 24.
​....
:tiphat:
https://www.newsfromthestates.com/a...y-wastewater-discharge-dairy-cattle-suspected

 

[Treyfish]

CDC Confirms Second Human H5 Bird Flu Case in Michigan; Third Case Tied to Dairy Outbreak


Risk to general public remains low

Print
Press Release
For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 30, 2024
Contact: Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

May 30, 2024 – A second human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus infection has been identified in the state of Michigan. This is the third human case associated with an ongoing multistate outbreak of A(H5N1) in U.S. dairy cows. None of the three cases are associated with the others. As with the previous two cases (one in Texas, one in Michigan), the person is a dairy farm worker with exposure to infected cows, making this another instance of probable cow-to-person spread. This is the first human case of H5 in the United States to report more typical symptoms of acute respiratory illness associated with influenza virus infection, including A(H5N1) viruses. CDC continues to closely monitor available data from influenza surveillance systems , particularly in affected states, and there has been no sign of unusual influenza activity in people, including no increase in emergency room visits for influenza and no increase in laboratory detection of human influenza cases.

Based on the information available at this time, this case does not change CDC’s current A(H5N1) bird flu human health risk assessment for the U.S. general public because all three sporadic cases had direct contact with infected cows. Risk depends on exposure, and in this case, the relevant exposure is to infected animals. The risk to members of the general public who do not have exposure to infected animals remains low. However, this development underscores the importance of recommended precautions in people with exposure to infected or potentially infected animals. People with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals (including livestock), or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other infected animals, are at greater risk of infection and should take precautions. Case Background


A dairy worker with exposure to H5N1-infected cows (at a different farm from the case last week) reported symptoms to local health officials. The patient reported upper respiratory tract symptoms including cough without fever, and eye discomfort with watery discharge. The patient was given antiviral treatment with oseltamivir, is isolating at home, and their symptoms are resolving. Household contacts of the patient have not developed symptoms, are being monitored for illness, and have been offered oseltamivir. No other workers at the same farm have reported symptoms, and all staff are being monitored. There is no indication of person-to-person spread of A(H5N1) viruses at this time.

Specimens were collected from the patient; one of which was positive for influenza A(H5) virus using the CDC test at the state health department laboratory. The specimens were forwarded to CDC for further testing. They were received on May 29, and testing results that night confirmed A(H5) virus infection. Michigan was then notified of the results.

The designation of the influenza virus neuraminidase (the N in the subtype) is pending genetic sequencing at CDC and results will be made available within 1-2 days, if successful. Additional genetic analysis will look for any changes to the virus that could change the agency’s risk assessment.

CDC Activities and Risk Assessment


This case was detected through Michigan’s active monitoring program for people exposed to infected livestock, in collaboration with CDC. The identification of an additional case of H5 is not surprising and shows the importance of a proactive public health response. Given the extent of the spread of this virus in dairy cows, additional human cases in people with higher risk exposures would not be surprising. A CDC priority right now is to prevent additional cases of A(H5N1) infections in dairy herd workers, who are at higher risk of exposure. CDC has previously provided updated interim recommendations for worker protection to include those who work with dairy cows and asked states to provide personal protective equipment to farmworkers. In addition, the agency is conducting ongoing outreach to groups representing farmworkers. CDC Recommendations

• People should wear recommended personal protective equipment when interacting with infected or potentially infected animals and monitor their health for 10 days after their most recent exposure. Learn more about CDC’s recommendations for worker protection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• People should avoid close, long, or unprotected exposures to sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals (including cows).
• People should also avoid unprotected exposures to animal poop, bedding (litter), unpasteurized (“raw”) milk, or materials that have been touched by, or close to, birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed A(H5N1) virus.

More information is available on the CDC website at H5N1 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary.

:tiphat:


https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0530-h5-human-case-michigan.html

 

[Treyfish]

Pretty soon they are going to have to make maps for human infections...hopefully more specific than just the state.

 

[Treyfish]

Bird flu infects third US dairy worker; Michigan set to expand testing

By Leah Douglas, Julie Steenhuysen and Tom Polansek
May 30, 20243:44 PM EDT
Updated 6 hours ago​

.....Meanwhile, Michigan will soon begin testing dairy farm workers for signs of prior infection with avian flu, a county health official told Reuters. State and local health officials have been monitoring exposed farm workers for symptoms....

​​​​​​"Even though there were respiratory symptoms present in this individual, it was still a mild case," said Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. "This underscores the risk that is particular to dairy farm workers."
CDC officials have been eager to test blood samples of farm workers for signs of prior infection to help understand the scope of the bird flu outbreak.
Michigan county and state officials will collaborate with the CDC on the testing effort, said Chad Shaw, health officer and environmental health director with the Ionia County Health Department in Michigan. Details of the plan for testing have not been previously reported.

Ionia County has reported avian flu infections in four dairy cattle herds and four poultry flocks, according to state data.
The goal of the testing is to discern how the virus is spreading from farm to farm, including whether humans have carried the virus asymptomatically, Shaw said, adding that he did not know when the testing would begin or how many workers would be tested......

:tiphat:
https://www.reuters.com/business/he...break of avian,watery discharge, the CDC said

 

[Treyfish]

Gov. Reynolds Urges USDA Sec. Vilsack to Expedite Animal Vaccines

• Thursday, May 30, 2024
• Press Release

Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds sent United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack a letter urging the USDA to prioritize and expedite the approval process for animal vaccines designed to combat foreign animal diseases and other diseases threatening the U.S agriculture industry.

The letter reads in part:

“Animal diseases pose significant threats to the agricultural industry, jeopardizing animal health, food security, and economic stability. The recent outbreaks of diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle and poultry, as well as the recent outbreak of Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) in Iowa turkey farms, underscores the need for proactive measures to prevent and control future outbreaks. Vaccine development and approvals are critical to ensure the health and safety of our nation’s livestock and poultry operations.

“I urge the USDA and the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) located in Ames, Iowa, to expedite the review and approval process for animal vaccines, prioritizing those that have demonstrated safety, efficacy, and feasibility. Additionally, I encourage the USDA to allocate resources and support research efforts aimed at developing innovative vaccines and vaccination strategies.”

You can read the full letter here.​
:tiphat:
​​​​​​https://governor.iowa.gov/press-rel...ges-usda-sec-vilsack-expedite-animal-vaccines

 

[Treyfish]

Milk From Cows Infected By Bird Flu is Infectious, Study Confirms

By Anna Louise May 31, 2024 12:16 AM EDT
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Laboratory examinations of milk from cows infected by H5N1 influenza, known as bird flu, confirm that it is infectious.
​…..
The H5N1 virus was handled under tight safety standards in a high-security Biosafety Level 3 lab at the University of Wisconsin, as it is regarded as a select agent.

First, it was determined that the H5N1 virus had contaminated the raw milk. They then chilled some of the raw milk to see if the virus would eventually go down in the milk. Over a 5-week period, there was a slight but non-significant decrease in the amount of viruses in raw milk.

The researchers also tested a variety of pasteurization techniques to determine which ones could be most effective at rendering the virus inactive.
​……..

Incubated chicken eggs might still be infected by milk samples heated for 15 or 20 seconds, a test that the US Food and Drug Administration has dubbed the "gold standard" for figuring out whether viruses can still infect milk.

"But we emphasize that the conditions used in our laboratory study are not identical to the large-scale industrial treatment of raw milk," said senior study author Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka, a virologist who specializes in the study of flu and Ebola.
​:tiphat:
https://www.natureworldnews.com/art...ms-milk-cows-infected-bird-flu-infectious.htm

 

[Treyfish]

Particles from the Avian Influenza Virus Detected in Retail Dairy Products in the US

By Eziokwu Fab-Emerenini MBBS |
Published on May 31, 2024
Reviewed By Gilmore Health | On: May 31, 2024

….. Risk of AIV in Retail Dairy Products


So far, dairy products have not been contaminated in a way that causes illness in humans, however, a study carried out by Erica Spackman et al. detected strands of RNA in 20.2% of dairy samples that they collected and tested….
​
Usually, milk from cattle goes through a purification process called pasteurization. This involves applying heat to dairy to eliminate pathogens. Different countries have their pasteurization protocols, however, a temperature of 72°C for at least 15 seconds is applicable in the US (according to the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, PMO). This system has several rules that ensure food safety.

Erica’s team wanted to find out whether the virus had entered the food market. They also wanted to determine if pasteurized dairy’s viral particles can be amplified with quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qrRT-PCR). They collected 197 pasteurized dairy samples from processing locations in 38 states…..

​Amongst all the viral RNA strands that were replicated, none showed any infectious tendencies. They also tried to replicate the virus in embryonated chicken eggs, however, no infectious particles were detected.

Clinical significance

The study vividly presents evidence that the avian influenza virus entered the circulation through dairy products, however, we are not sure at what stage or in what quantity since these samples were obtained from different states. The production location, pasteurization, and even marketing might differ for different dairy products….:tiphat:

​https://www.gilmorehealth.com/parti...-detected-in-retail-dairy-products-in-the-us/

 

[Pathfinder]

Information for Farm Workers Exposed to H5N1 Bird Flu
...

How this virus might spread from infected cows or other animals to people

This virus could spread from cows to people in several ways:

• If you touch something contaminated with the virus and touch your eyes, nose, or mouth
• If a liquid contaminated with live virus splashes into your eyes (like raw cow’s milk from an infected cow, for example)
• If you eat, drink, or inhale droplets contaminated with virus
• If you handle sick or dead barn cats or other animals infected with the virus.

​...'

https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum...ed-to-h5n1-bird-flu-last-reviewed-may-30-2024

 

[Commonground]

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Ottawa County Dairy Herd
​May 31, 2024

Today, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring announced the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in an additional dairy herd from Ottawa County. Testing through the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory initially detected this case. Samples have been sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories for additional confirmatory testing.

Regardless of species, biosecurity remains the best tool available to combat HPAI. On May 1, 2024, Director Boring issued the Determination of Extraordinary Emergency HPAI Risk Reduction and Response Order. In addition to other protocols, the order requires all dairy operations in Michigan to adopt enhanced biosecurity measures, collectively reducing the risk of introducing this virus on to farms. On May 3, 2024, additional guidance was issued to help producers enact these requirements, which went into effect on May 8, 2024.

In addition to these requirements, following a few key steps can also be fundamental to protecting the health and vitality of Michigan's dairy cattle:[/B][/B]

• Delay or stop incoming or returning animals from herds with unknown or suspect health status.
• Isolate all animals that are new or returning to your farm.
• Monitor the health of your animals daily.
• Contact your veterinarian if there are ever any animal health-related concerns or if you would like to develop a secure food supply plan.
• Sick animals should have dedicated equipment and be cared for after tending to healthy animals first.
• Clothing, footwear, and equipment worn/used around sick animals should not be worn/used around other animals until they are cleaned and disinfected. Use an EPA-registered disinfectant effective against avian influenza.
• Do not share tools, equipment, trailers, etc. with other farms.
• Clean and disinfect the interiors of trailers used to haul animals from other operations.
• Limit non-essential visitors to your farm.
• If individuals have recently been on a poultry farm, they should not visit a dairy operation, and vice versa.
• Require or provide clean clothing and footwear to those entering your farm.
• Use hand-washing stations and provide gloves to those working on your farm.

As part of the disease response, MDARD is working with the herd's veterinarian to monitor the health of the animals and conduct trace investigations. MDARD continues diligently working with local, state, and federal partners to quickly respond to reports of HPAI to mitigate the spread of the disease and provide outreach.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/abou...nfluenza-detected-in-ottawa-county-dairy-herd

​

 

[Pathfinder]

Influenza A Virus Wastewater Data

Updated May 30, 2024
Print

Main Findings from Wastewater Surveillance

During the two most recent weeks, (May 12, 2024–May 25, 2024), a total of 288 of 741 sites reported data meeting criteria for analysis for influenza A virus for both weeks or for either week, and 5 (2%) sites from 3 states were at a high level (>80th percentile compared to levels recorded at that site between October 1, 2023 and March 2, 2024).
...
Week 2024-05-18
...
Id:307-B 7 Florida Leon Above Average 64.58 2024-05-18 210,000 2023-07-11
Id:145-B 7 California San Diego Above Average 62.71 2024-05-18 2,200,000 2022-08-07
Id:1921-B 7 Texas Webb Above Average 60.98 2024-05-18 140,000 2022-12-12
Id:1378 7 New York Oswego Above Average 63.41 2024-05-18 30,000 2023-07-31
Id:1755 8 Oregon Washington Above Average 71.43 2024-05-18 40,000 2021-09-15
Id:174 8 California Santa Clara Above Average 71.6 2024-05-18 110,000 2023-02-21
Id:118 7 California Marin Above Average 65.38 2024-05-18 100,000 2022-08-22
Id:476 8 Illinois Morgan Above Average 74.19 2024-05-18 20,000 2022-10-05
Id:552 10 Kansas Saline High 93.33 2024-05-18 50,000 2022-08-08
Id:400 10 Illinois Adams High 100.0 2024-05-18 50,000 2022-10-06
Id:1729 10 Oregon Jackson High 100.0 2024-05-18 20,000 2021-09-27
Id:1734 10 Oregon Lane High 100.0 2024-05-18 240,000 2021-09-27
Id:1738 10 Oregon Linn High 100.0 2024-05-18 60,000
...

Week 2024-05-25
...
Id:1729 7 Oregon Jackson Above Average 60.0 2024-05-25 20,000 2021-09-27
Id:1755 8 Oregon Washington Above Average 71.43 2024-05-25 40,000 2021-09-15
Id:550 8 Kansas Johnson Above Average 70.78 2024-05-25 50,000 2023-09-17
Id:1738 7 Oregon Linn Above Average 69.57 2024-05-25 60,000 2021-09-29
Id:1855 7 Texas Dallas Above Average 64.86 2024-05-25 270,000 2023-06-28
Id:420 8 Illinois Cook Above Average 73.17 2024-05-25 20,000 2022-10-13
...

https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/wastewater-surveillance/Flu-A-data.html

 

[Pathfinder]

Bird flu can infect cats. What does that mean for their people?

By Tina Hesman Saey
20 minutes ago
...
There’s no sign that the virus has developed the type of changes needed to transmit easily from person-to-person yet, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported May 24. Most people who have gotten infected so far have been those with close contact with poultry or cattle.

But having bird flu show up in domestic cats might give the virus a more intimate route for infecting people. After all, people don’t usually cuddle chickens and cows the way they do kitties.
...
Outdoor cats may get infected after catching wild birds, says Meghan Davis, a veterinarian and environmental epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “Whether they eat them or not, that could be sufficient contact.”
...
And now, raw milk — milk that hasn’t been pasteurized to kill bacteria and viruses — has become an avenue for infection after H5N1 showed up in dairy cattle. Raw milk, some of which is labeled for pet use only, could be a way that indoor cats that don’t have contact with wild birds or poultry could get infected, Davis says.

Some evidence suggests that cats might be able to pass the infection to each other, she says.
...
This year alone, more than 16 cats in the United States are known to have contracted H5N1 bird flu, most of them on dairy farms, according to the World Organization for Animal Health.
...
The numbers of infections likely is higher.
...
Farm workers may be younger and healthier than the average person, Davis says. Less clear is whether really susceptible people, such as older people or ones with weakened immune systems, who live with cats might have a higher risk of getting infected, she says.
...

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/bird-flu-h5n1-infect-cats-people

 

[Commonground]

From Post #220:

• Id:1734 10 Oregon Lane High 100.0 2024-05-18 240,000 2021-09-27
  Id:1738 10 Oregon Linn High 100.0 2024-05-18 60,000

from a google search, I wasn't able to find anything specific in 2023 to the present. But I found this in 2022. (these counties are on a migratory path):


Avian quarantine in effect for part of Lane County after bird flu detected
Updated: May 19, 2022 / 12:43 PM PDT​

​​PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An avian quarantine has been put in place for part of Lane County Thursday, just two days after state officials said bird flu had been detected in the region.

On Tuesday, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that multiple Canada goose goslings collected from Alton Baker Park in Eugene had tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. State officials said a case of the disease was confirmed by the USDA.

-snip-

An outbreak of bird flu was also detected in Linn County near the I-5 and Route 34 junction. Its radius extends several miles out and is also visible on ODA’s map.

https://www.koin.com/news/animals/a...-part-of-lane-county-after-bird-flu-detected/
​

 

[Pathfinder]

Michigan Becomes Ground Zero In U.S. For Cattle Herds Infected By H5N1 Bird Flu

June 01, 2024, 8:36 AM
...
Dr. Arnold Monto, emeritus professor of epidemiology and global public health at the University of Michigan and co-director of the Michigan Center for Respiratory Virus Research and Response, tells the Freep:

"The main reason we're detecting more infection is because we're doing very good surveillance. Other states need to do the same. ... It's being missed."
...
As of Friday, Michigan recorded 24 outbreaks in dairly cattle herds in 10 counties.


https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/art..._for_cattle_her ds_infected_by_h5n1_bird_flu​

 

[Treyfish]

Gov. Reynolds issues disaster proclamation for bird flu in Cherokee County

​ By Kathryn Vlaanderen
Published: Jun. 2, 2024 at 7:24 PM
EDT|Updated: 6 minutes ago
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Iowa (KTIV) - Gov. Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for avian influenza in Cherokee County, Iowa.

The new proclamation was authorized on Sunday, June 2 and it will go into effect immediately until July 2.
….

The office says the proclamation would allow state resources from Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to assist with the following:​….

• Tracking and Monitoring
• Rapid Detection
• Confinement
• Disposal
• Disinfection

Additionally, this proclamation would waive regulatory provisions connected to commercial vehicles that respond to the affected sites.
….

As previously reported, recent cases of bird flu have been seen in Sioux County.
:tiphat:
https://www.ktiv.com/2024/06/02/gov-reynolds-issues-disaster-proclamation-bird-flu-cherokee-county/

 

[Commonground]

Michigan to start testing dairy workers for prior bird flu infections
​June 3, 2024 | 12:02 am
EUTERS
MICHIGAN will soon begin testing dairy farm workers for signs of prior infection with avian flu, a county health official told Reuters.
​
-snip-

Michigan county and state officials will collaborate with the CDC on the testing effort, said Chad Shaw, health officer and environmental health director with the Ionia County Health Department.

The details of the plan for testing have not been previously reported. Ionia County has reported avian flu infections in four dairy cattle herds and four poultry flocks, according to state data.

The goal of the testing is to discern how the virus is spreading from farm to farm, including whether humans have carried the virus asymptomatically, Mr. Shaw said.

A CDC spokesman said the agency will be providing technical assistance to the state, which is coordinating the testing.
​
https://www.bworldonline.com/agribu...-dairy-workers-for-prior-bird-flu-infections/

 

[Pathfinder]

USDA aims to isolate, exhaust H5N1 virus in dairy herds

The government has faced repeated questions about whether it knows for certain how widespread bird flu in cattle is. To date, H5N1 has been confirmed in 80 herds in nine states.

By Chuck Abbott Published on June 4, 2024

The USDA’s strategy against bird flu in dairy cattle is to identify infected herds and wait for the virus to die out within the herds, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Monday. “I’m confident we have a good understanding of the virus and how it is being transferred,” he added.

“We are trying to essentially corner the virus” within infected herds so it eventually dissipates, he said during a teleconference.
...

https://www.agriculture.com/usda-aims-to-isolate-exhaust-h5n1-virus-in-dairy-herds-8657880

 

[Pathfinder]

Hat tip Lance

Michigan:

Clinton County

AFFECTED POPULATION DESCRIPTION
A domestic cat (Felis catus). This detection is not associated with any known HPAI affected livestock or poultry premises.

Ingham

AFFECTED POPULATION DESCRIPTION
A feral barn cat (Felis catus). The approximate location for this detection is represented by the laboratory that did the initial testing on this case. This detection is not associated with any known HPAI affected livestock or poultry premises.​

https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum...ammals-and-livestock-2024?p=991502#post991502

 

[Pathfinder]

H5 influenza wastewater dashboard launches
Lisa Schnirring June 3, 2024
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Wastewater positives mostly from affected states
...
Test results on the dashboard range from May 7 to May 30. Most of the positive detections are from sites in Michigan and Texas, two of the states hit hardest by H5N1 outbreaks in dairy cows. A few detections were also reported from a testing site in Idaho, another state where H5N1 has infected dairy cows.

The dashboard, however, also shows a few detections in states that haven't reported H5N1 in dairy cows—Iowa and Minnesota. Both states, though, have reported recent H5N1 outbreaks in commercial poultry. Minnesota reported detections at three different locations (Mankato, Red Wing, and St. Cloud), and Iowa reported a detection in Marshalltown.
...
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/h5-influenza-wastewater-dashboard-launches

-----------------------------------------

​https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tra...0wNi0wMooBBjFiODE5NA==&selectedChartId=1b8194

--------------------------------------

​https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=ClgQASABSABSBjRlODhiM1IGOTRjMGM2UgYyZDQ1Zj JSBjczM2YyNlIGMmZhOTBjWgdJbmZBX0g1cgoyMDI0LTA1LTIw cgoyMDI0LTA2LTAyigEGMWI4MTk0&selectedChartId=1b819 4​

 

[Commonground]

Helen Branswell
@HelenBranswell
·
9m
.
@USDA
reports 2 more #H5N1 #birdflu infected dairy cow herds, in Texas & Idaho. The cumulative national total of confirmed herds since the outbreak was first confirmed on 4/25 is 82, from 9 states.​

 

[Treyfish]

These are the bird flu questions that influenza and animal scientists desperately want answered

• By Helen Branswell

Ten weeks after government scientists discovered that H5N1 bird flu was sickening dairy cattle in the United States, many of the mysteries surrounding what is happening on affected farms remain just that.

Widespread reluctance on the part of farmers to allow scientists — government or otherwise — onto their premises to study spread of the virus among infected cows has created a frustrating lack of understanding of the dynamics of this outbreak. U.S. Department of Agriculture incentives aimed at getting farmers to test their cows and take preventive measures to protect both animals and farmworkers do not seem to have solved the impasse, even as the outbreak has affected 82 herds in nine states​….

To get a sense of what the key questions are, STAT asked scientists who have long worked on influenza or in veterinary medicine what they viewed as the most pressing questions. Sixteen answered individually; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention answered collectively for three flu experts within its ranks whose opinions we sought.

The answers — their questions — roughly fit into three buckets: What’s happening on the farms among cows? What’s happening on farms among farmworkers? What’s happening to the virus and what does this all portend for H5N1, which for nearly three decades has danced around humans but has yet to take us on directly. The biggest bucket: What is happening with the cows?


Ron Fouchier, a flu virologist at Erasmus Medical Center in the Dutch city of Rotterdam, summed up what underlies all of the cow-related questions with the single question he submitted. It was, effectively: How can spread in cows be stopped, and the sooner the better?

“If this virus becomes enzootic” — endemic or entrenched — “in cows, it could well cause massive damage to human and animal health in the longer term,” Fouchier wrote. “I would find it unacceptable if authorities in the U.S.A. and/or the sector do not try to eradicate this new disease in cows a.s.a.p. If this is not deemed possible, I think the entire world would like to see the evidence and arguments.”
​…..
lot’s more :tiphat:

https://www.statnews.com/2024/06/05/bird-flu-h5n1-in-cows-scientists-top-questions/