Agriculture officials in Nevada have raised concerns after dairy cattle were confirmed to be infected with a new type of bird flu. According to a report by KTNV, this strain, named Type A H5N1 D1.1, is different from the version affecting U.S. herds since 2023. It was detected in milk from a farm as part of a surveillance program targeting dairy products.
The discovery of this strain suggests that avian influenza may spread from wild birds to livestock through multiple channels. Richard Webby, an influenza expert at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, expressed his surprise, saying, "I always thought one bird-to-cow transmission was a very rare event. Seems that may not be the case," in a statement obtained by KTNV.
The newly identified D1.1 genotype is linked to the first U.S. death from bird flu and a severe illness in Canada. As reported by 8NewsNow, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Nevada Department of Agriculture are working together on further testing and biosecurity measures to prevent the virus from spreading.
Angela Rasmussen, a virus expert at the University of Saskatchewan, stressed the importance of continued testing, saying, "Now we know why it's really important to test and continue testing," in a KTNV report. To support these efforts, the USDA plans to release genetic sequences and other information to a public repository, a move recommended by Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona.
J.J. Goicoechea, director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of proper biosecurity measures, stating, "We cannot stress enough how important it is to keep equipment clean, practice good animal health safety practices, and bolster biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of disease," as reported by 8NewsNow. Efforts to understand and contain the spread of this new flu strain are critical, particularly due to its potential risks to human health.
