Bird flu has spread efficiently among mammals, study finds
Research into the bird flu outbreaks on dairy farms describes how efficiently the virus has spread between cows and from cows to other mammals, including cats and a raccoon.
New research into the ongoing bird flu outbreaks on dairy farms describes in unprecedented detail how efficiently the virus has spread among cows, and from cows to other mammals, including cats and a raccoon.
It’s an indication that the virus is developing new capabilities that have bird flu experts worried.
Bird flu has affected more than 100 million wild aquatic birds, commercial flocks and backyard poultry in the U.S. over the last several years. Its spread has had scientists on alert about the possibility that the virus could one day evolve to spread from person to person, igniting the next pandemic.
No human-to-human transmission has occurred yet, as far as researchers know. But the case total among people continues to grow: Colorado state health officials confirmed three new cases of bird flu in people Thursday, bringing the national total to 14.
The human cases have all been in farmworkers infected after exposure to sick animals, and all but one have been diagnosed in the last four months. Though little is known yet about the three newest infections, the rest have been mild.
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