The first detection of H5N1 bird flu in US swine occurred on a backyard farm in Oregon, as confirmed by the US department of agriculture on Wednesday.
The detection raises concerns because pigs can host both bird and human viruses simultaneously, potentially leading to genetic combinations that could create new viruses with enhanced ability to infect humans. However, the USDA assured that the public health risk remains low and there is no threat to the national pork supply.
According to Richard Webby, a virologist at St Jude Children's Research Hospital who studies flu for the WHO, "I think it probably doesn't increase the risk much, but surely, if this virus starts transmitting in pigs, that absolutely increases the risk." He noted that pigs were responsible for the H1N1 pandemic in 2009-2010.
The affected Oregon farm is under quarantine, with ongoing surveillance of other animals including sheep and goats. The authorities have eliminated both pigs and poultry to prevent virus spread and enable additional testing, with results pending for two pigs.
A USDA spokesperson confirmed that wild bird migration, not poultry or dairy farms, introduced the virus to the swine. This case influenced the USDA's decision to implement nationwide bulk milk testing, as stated by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to Reuters.
The infected pigs were not intended for commercial food supply. The farm's conditions contributed to virus transmission, as poultry and swine shared water sources, housing, and equipment.
Marie Culhane, a veterinary population medicine professor at the University of Minnesota, emphasizes this detection should alert pig farmers to prepare for potential future cases. "People need to start increasing their plans to deal with it if it should happen in another herd and another herd," she said. "Pigs are just really good at picking up influenza viruses."
In the current year, the virus has affected nearly 400 dairy herds and infected 36 people, predominantly farm workers with direct animal contact. Since 2022, the outbreak has resulted in the loss of over 100 million poultry birds, marking the nation's most severe bird flu outbreak.
The detection raises concerns because pigs can host both bird and human viruses simultaneously, potentially leading to genetic combinations that could create new viruses with enhanced ability to infect humans. However, the USDA assured that the public health risk remains low and there is no threat to the national pork supply.
According to Richard Webby, a virologist at St Jude Children's Research Hospital who studies flu for the WHO, "I think it probably doesn't increase the risk much, but surely, if this virus starts transmitting in pigs, that absolutely increases the risk." He noted that pigs were responsible for the H1N1 pandemic in 2009-2010.
The affected Oregon farm is under quarantine, with ongoing surveillance of other animals including sheep and goats. The authorities have eliminated both pigs and poultry to prevent virus spread and enable additional testing, with results pending for two pigs.
A USDA spokesperson confirmed that wild bird migration, not poultry or dairy farms, introduced the virus to the swine. This case influenced the USDA's decision to implement nationwide bulk milk testing, as stated by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to Reuters.
The infected pigs were not intended for commercial food supply. The farm's conditions contributed to virus transmission, as poultry and swine shared water sources, housing, and equipment.
Marie Culhane, a veterinary population medicine professor at the University of Minnesota, emphasizes this detection should alert pig farmers to prepare for potential future cases. "People need to start increasing their plans to deal with it if it should happen in another herd and another herd," she said. "Pigs are just really good at picking up influenza viruses."
In the current year, the virus has affected nearly 400 dairy herds and infected 36 people, predominantly farm workers with direct animal contact. Since 2022, the outbreak has resulted in the loss of over 100 million poultry birds, marking the nation's most severe bird flu outbreak.
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