The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed the first infection of H5N1 avian flu in pigs. The case was reported on a private farm in Oregon. The authorities point out that the discovery does not compromise the security of the supply of pork products. They emphasize that the risk for the general population remains low.
The incidence was detected on a farm in Crook County, where an outbreak in poultry had previously been recorded. The USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) tested five pigs as a preventative measure, even though they showed no symptoms of the disease. The test results were negative for two of the animals, one tested positive and two more are pending diagnosis. All were euthanized for further evaluation.
“The livestock and poultry on this farm shared water sources, housing and equipment. In other states, this combination has allowed transmission between species,” explains the USDA. The hatchery has been quarantined to prevent further spread. Other animals such as sheep and goats remain under surveillance.
No signs of mutation
The NVSLs analyzed the genomic sequence of the virus strain found in pigs and poultry. So far, they have found no evidence of mutation in the pathogen to suggest that H5N1 bird flu can be transmitted from person to person. They reiterate that the current risk to the public is low. “Genetic sequencing of these samples is ongoing, although the sequencing results may not be conclusive due to the low viral levels found,” they add. The United States has reported 36 human infections of H5N1 bird flu so far this year. Except for one, all of the cases were linked to farm workers who had been in contact with infected animals.
A study led by Richard Webby, director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Avian Pathology Research Center, found that since 2021, the H5N1 virus has become more infectious and its transmission rate has increased in North America, Europe , Asia and Africa. This more virulent strain has infected cows, sea lions, foxes, mice, dogs, cats and ferrets.
“Our worst suspicions are being confirmed, the virus is adapting increasingly better to different regions of the world. At any moment it can become one of the worst health crises,” Rafel Ojeda, a zootechnical veterinarian at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, said last year.
The WHO reports that from 2003 to April 1, 2024, 889 infections with the H5N1 avian influenza virus have been reported globally in 23 countries. He has asked health professionals to monitor the evolution of the virus in search of new cases in animals or humans. It asks the population to be attentive to the symptoms of the condition. This includes fever above 37.8°C, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, fatigue, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and seizures in severe cases.
Health organizations around the world are implementing measures to contain the proliferation of the virus among various species of mammals. The USDA has approved two field safety trials of vaccine candidates designed to protect dairy cows from H5N1.
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