Bird flu outbreak: A wild bird infects thousands of cows in the USA!

Bird flu outbreak: A wild bird infects thousands of cows in the USA!

A new outbreak of bird flu among dairy cows in the United States is causing concern. According to a recent report by oe24.at The outbreak was traced back to a single contact with a wild bird. Researchers at Iowa State University, led by Thao-Quyen Nguyen, have published their results in the journal Science.

The first contact between the infected bird and a cow is believed to have occurred in mid- to late 2023 in Texas. From there, the infections spread over several months among cows in various states such as North Carolina, Idaho, Michigan, Ohio, Kansas and South Dakota. This detailed analysis is based on virus data, genome sequences and information from health authorities, which also document the mutation of the virus.

The course of the epidemic

In March 2024, the H5N1 form of bird flu was first detected in dairy cows in the United States. It was not previously known that dairy cows were susceptible to the virus. The infected cows showed symptoms of the disease, which also led to reduced milk production. In total, more than 1,000 herds of cattle tested positive, although the number of unreported cases may be higher. The transport of dairy cows over long distances has contributed to the further spread of the virus.

In addition to cows, other animals have also been infected, including raccoons, cats and other birds. Scientists warn of the serious consequences of the current wave of bird flu, which is rampant on several continents. Loud Deutschlandfunk There are also reports of human infections, which are usually accompanied by harmless symptoms such as conjunctivitis. However, in one tragic case, a person died from the viral infection.

Containment measures

American health authorities consider the risk to the general population to be low. Nevertheless, experts are calling for more measures to be taken urgently to stop the spread of bird flu. The largest documented wave of bird flu, according to a report by the FAZ highlighted the need for a committed and coordinated approach to contain the virus and prevent a possible new pandemic.

The situation remains dynamic and research continues to better understand the virus and its impact. Health authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure rapid responses and protect the population.