Bird flu concerns grow as second strain found in US
Second bird flu strain found in US dairy cattle, USDA says
U.S. dairy cattle tested positive for a strain of bird flu that previously had not been seen in cows, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday, ramping up concerns about the persistent spread of the virus.
The H5N1 virus has reduced milk output in cattle, pushed up egg prices by wiping out millions of hens, and infected nearly 70 people since April as it has spread across the country.
The second strain was the predominant genotype among wild birds this past fall and winter and has also been found in poultry, the USDA said. It was identified in dairy cattle through an agency program
"We're seeing the H5N1 virus itself be smarter than all of us," said Beth Thompson, South Dakota's state veterinarian.
"It's modifying itself so it's not just staying in the poultry and the wild birds likely transmitted the second strain to cattle in Nevada, said J.J. Goicoechea, Nevada's agriculture director. Farmers need to ramp up safety and security measures to protect their animals, he s
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