While the bird flu outbreak among dairy cattle isn’t currently seen as a threat to the public, experts emphasize the importance of early detection and containment to minimize the risk of it spreading to new species.
Since its emergence in 2021, the current strain of H5N1 flu has affected various animals and has already been detected in over 30 herds. One worrying scenario is if this virus in cows mixes with influenza strains endemic to pigs. Pigs are known to be fertile ground for such viral interactions, which could potentially lead to transmission to humans.
A spokesperson from the United States Department of Agriculture reassured that there’s no evidence yet of the virus affecting pigs. They added that the department collaborates with animal health authorities and agricultural stakeholders to actively monitor the situation.
In other news, efforts by Israeli officials to address concerns among Democrats regarding the Gaza conflict have so far yielded little progress. Despite meetings held on Capitol Hill, tensions persist, particularly heightened by recent events such as Israel’s movement into Rafah.
