Public Health Experts Monitor Largest H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak, Now Spreading to Cattle

Jul 24, 2024, 11:01 AM

Public health experts are closely monitoring a cluster of human cases of H5N1 bird flu in Colorado, raising concerns about a potential larger outbreak. The worldwide risk of animal-to-human disease spread remains high, with recent reports indicating the virus has spread to cattle and occasionally to humans. The current strain of H5N1, known for its high pathogenicity, has been described as the largest outbreak of avian influenza in recorded history. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized that while avian influenza is not a new disease, different strains have varying consequences. Efforts are underway to control potential outbreaks, including testing transmission and infection from cows. Scientists have noted that the virus is still primarily suited to infect birds, but its spread among cattle is alarming. Surveillance efforts for H5N1, however, fall short of what’s needed, according to experts interviewed by JAMA Medical News.