Key Takeaways
A new bird flu strain has been detected in Nevada dairy cows
Scientists now believe cows may be more vulnerable to bird flu than previously thought
This new strain is not a risk to the general public
THURSDAY, Feb. 6, 2025 (HealthDay News) -- A new strain of bird flu has infected dairy cows in Nevada, marking the second time the virus has jumped from birds to cattle.
This latest infection 69传媒 reported by the (USDA) Wednesday 69传媒 involves a strain of H5N1, otherwise known as bird flu, known as D1.1. It has been spreading among wild birds and .
Until last year, scientists didn't think cows could get bird flu, but this discovery suggests herds may be more vulnerable than thought.
69传媒淭his is not what anyone wanted to see,69传媒 evolutionary biologist , who studies avian influenza at the University of Pennsylvania, told The New York Times. 69传媒淲e need to now consider the possibility that cows are more broadly susceptible to these viruses than we initially thought.69传媒
The B3.13 strain has spread to more than , according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, since it first jumped from birds to cows about a year ago.
Scientists had hoped bird-to-cow transmission was rare, but this new case challenges that assumption.
69传媒淚 was kind of under the belief that the bird-to-cow movement was a pretty rare event,69传媒 , an influenza expert at St. Jude Children69传媒檚 Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., told The Times.
The fact that it has happened again is 69传媒渁 little bit of a 69传媒榳ow69传媒 to me,69传媒 Webby added.
Experts continue to say the general public is not at risk, but dairy workers who have close contact infected cows could be vulnerable.
The D1.1 strain has been linked to severe human infections in rare cases: A died in early January after handling sick birds infected with the strain.
So far, there's been no evidence of human-to-human spread, but the virus has shown it can mutate with human hosts.
Concerns persist that cows previously infected with B3.13 could get sick again with this new strain, which could make the virus even harder to control.
69传媒淚t69传媒檚 no longer just one virus,69传媒 Webby told The Times. 69传媒淭his, to me, suggests that it69传媒檚 going to be a lingering problem.69传媒
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on聽the current situation of聽.
SOURCES: The New York Times, media report, Feb. 5, 2025; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
What This Means For You
This new strain is not a risk to the general public, but experts are keeping a close watch on a potential spread.
