The H5N1 virus, commonly known as bird flu, mutated to infect dairy cows for the first time, according to reports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said eight states experienced bird flu outbreaks in cattle, while 48 reported outbreaks in poultry and 50 faced outbreaks in wild birds.
So, what are the implications for humans?
The CDC said that the risk of bird flu transmission to humans remains low. Since 2022, the CDC reported two human cases of H5N1 in the U.S.
In early April, the CDC disclosed that a Texas cattle farmer contracted the virus after close contact with an infected dairy cow.
In response, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, which represents hundreds of cattle veterinarians, urged against using the term “bird flu in cattle.” The group argued that the disease in cattle differs significantly than in birds and people should treat it accordingly.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief sounded the alarm, labeling bird flu in cattle as “an enormous concern.” This is because of the virus’s evolving nature and its potential to infect mammals closer to humans.
H5N1 doesn’t currently spread from person to person. However, health experts expressed concerns over its potential severity if it were to mutate and infect more humans. Since 2003, there have been 889 human cases of H5N1 which resulted in 463 deaths, a 52% fatality rate.
Infectious disease experts warn of the pandemic potential of the disease as it jumps to more mammals, including dairy cows, and could mutate further to infect humans.
The WHO said it has a vaccine template ready if the virus mutates to infect a large number of humans.
Scientists initially detected H5N1 in birds in 1996. The virus has since infected and killed hundreds of millions of birds globally. It has also been found in various mammals, including squirrels, polar bears, skunks, sea lions, and now, dairy cows.
To mitigate risks, the CDC recommended avoiding consumption of raw or undercooked food, as well as raw milk and cheese.
