The spread of H5N1 bird flu among dairy cows in the US marks an unprecedented outbreak that virologists fear may increase the risk of human infections. So far in 2024, there have been 67 reported human cases related to the virus, mostly among dairy and poultry workers. Although the virus has historically posed a high fatality risk—49% of documented cases since 2003 ended in death—most current US infections appear relatively mild. The USDA's eradication strategy remains unaffected by the detection of a new genotype. This situation warrants closer observation due to possible adaptations affecting humans.
Virologists warn that H5N1's spread in dairy cows, unprecedented in the US, creates risk of human adaptation due to close animal-human interactions.
Since 2003, there have been 954 documented H5N1 human cases globally, with a 49% fatality rate, highlighting the potential severity of the virus.
Despite the detection of the D1.1 genotype, the USDA maintains that their eradication strategy remains unchanged, showcasing their testing strategy's strength.
Experts are puzzled by the mild nature of most recent US H5N1 infections, suggesting that factors like prior immunity and specific genotypes may play a role.
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