The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that four dairy herds in Nevada that were previously thought to be infected with H5N1 bird flu were actually infected with a different strain of the virus. This discovery has raised concerns about containing the virus in cows, as the new strain has been circulating in wild birds and has been associated with severe infections in humans. The USDA had previously believed that all infections in cows stemmed from a single introduction of the virus, but this new finding suggests that multiple introductions have occurred.
Experts warn that containing the virus will be challenging, given the widespread nature of H5N1 in migratory waterfowl across North America. While the USDA maintains its eradication strategy, the discovery of a new strain of the virus in cows has raised questions about the effectiveness of current containment measures. This development underscores the need for continued monitoring and surveillance of H5N1 in livestock and wild bird populations.
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