A strain of bird flu called D1.1 has been spreading among dairy cows in Nevada, with a dairy worker recently infected. This strain of bird flu has a mutation that could make it spread more easily in mammals. It has been found in dairy cows for the first time last month, marking the second time the virus has “spilled over” from birds to cows. Experts are concerned about the implications of this new development, with some fearing that bird flu may become endemic in the U.S.
While the virus has generally not been deadly in dairy cows, it has caused havoc on poultry farms, resulting in millions of chickens being culled and leading to shortages of eggs. In humans, most cases of bird flu have been mild, although one person in Louisiana who had the D1.1 strain died last month.
The CDC recommends stepping up testing for bird flu in hospitalized patients to monitor for any potential spread of the virus. The risk of bird flu spreading from person to person is currently low, but experts emphasize the importance of preparing for the possibility of a future influenza pandemic. It is uncertain whether the D1.1 strain will lead to a new outbreak or pandemic, but experts stress the need for vigilance in monitoring and responding to the virus.
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