A new variant of the H5N1 bird flu has been detected in dairy cattle in Nevada for the first time. This variant, known as the D1.1 genotype, is different from the strain that has been causing infections in cattle over the past year. Scientists believe the virus spilled over from birds to cattle in the Texas Panhandle in late 2023, leading to a nationwide outbreak. The discovery of this new variant raises questions about the trajectory of the outbreak in cattle and its potential impact on humans. Some concerns include the possibility that existing immunity against bird flu may not be effective against this new strain, requiring vaccines to be reworked. While cattle infections with D1.1 are not expected to be significantly different, two cases of severe illness in humans have been associated with this genotype. Scientists speculate that this new variant might be more deadly for humans and could potentially lead to more severe respiratory infections. Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of this new variant on human health.
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