Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Health authorities confirm the first cases of the H5N1 virus, or bird flu, in U.S. dairy cows, indicating a significant development in the virus's spread.
Thomas Gillespie of Emory University highlights this event as uncharted territory in the ongoing global pattern of bird flu infecting various mammals.
Since 2022, bird flu has infected a wide range of mammals worldwide, showcasing its broad host range, according to Gillespie.
Gillespie emphasizes the "One Health" approach, which considers the interconnected health of humans, animals, and ecosystems, for pandemic prevention and control.
The U.S. CDC reports the risk to humans as low, with only two mild human cases linked to the outbreak in Texas and Michigan, involving dairy farm workers.
H5N1 has been circulating since 2020, affecting diverse bird species in the U.S. since 2022, leading to mass culling of poultry to control the virus's spread.
Massive die-offs of seals and sea lions in South America raise concerns about potential mammal-to-mammal transmission of bird flu.
H5N1 has infected various mammals globally, including foxes, otters, seals, and bears, with the U.S. recording 200 cases in mammals since 2022.
Gillespie warns of the risks posed by H5N1 mutations in new hosts, exacerbated by deforestation and industrialized animal farming. He advocates for reduced animal product consumption to improve both human and planetary health.