Bird Flu Outbreak Spreads to Pigs and Cattle, Raises Health Concerns

A recent and alarming development in the bird flu outbreak has been reported, with the first case of H5N1 influenza in a pig confirmed in the United States. On October 30, 2024, the case was identified in Oregon, marking a significant concern for public health and animal welfare.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has also confirmed additional H5 avian influenza outbreaks in dairy cows and poultry across the country. In California, 13 more dairy cow herds were affected, bringing the state’s total to 291 and the national total to 505 herds across 15 states. Furthermore, two new outbreaks were reported in poultry flocks, one in Tulare County, California, and another in Malheur County, Oregon, involving backyard birds.

The spread of the avian flu to other animals, such as pigs and cattle, is particularly concerning due to the potential for genetic mutations that could make the virus more transmissible to humans. This scenario is highlighted by a recent case in Canada where a teenager is critically ill with a new genotype of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The patient, who had no underlying health conditions, developed severe symptoms including acute respiratory distress syndrome, underscoring the rapid and severe progression of the virus in young people.

In response to the growing outbreak, Alveo Technologies has announced an agreement with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a rapid molecular test to differentiate between influenza A, influenza B, and H5 influenza. This portable test, set to be shipped next month, will help expand diagnostic capacity beyond public health labs and provide real-time results via a secure cloud-based portal.