The highly pathogenic influenza virus H5N1 spread to a farmworker in Texas through a cow, marking the first time it was found on a dairy farm. The incident raised concerns among scientists about the virus's reach and potential impacts.
Since the Texas infection, outbreaks among dairy cattle have been reported in seven more states, indicating the need for broader surveillance efforts beyond poultry farms to monitor the virus's spread among different species.
The current strain of bird flu emerged in 2020 and reached the U.S. in 2021, affecting not only farmed birds but also wild bird populations like pelicans, vultures, and raptors, leading to widespread decimation.
The virus has spread globally, affecting various animal species from polar bears to penguins, indicating the high contagion potential. The cow transmission highlighted the virus's ability to jump between species, raising concerns about its impact on different ecosystems.
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