Move, H5N1 – another bird flu strain has arrived in the US

H5N1 is not the only version of bird flu that we have to worry about. Animal health staff announced on Monday that a highly pathogenic bird flu strain was recently discovered in Mississippi birds – a different strain from the spread of H5N1 influenza among cows and poultry last year.

The World Animal Health Organization (WOAH) publishes its report On Monday, the outbreak of H7N9 based on data provided to it by the US Department of Agriculture and local officials. This is the first hunts of H7N9 poultry, observed in the United States for almost a decade.

Highly pathogenic bird flu viruses (HPAI) are a A serious problem for public healthS These viruses spread rapidly among wild birds and poultry, often cause widespread dying (and why they are called highly pathogenic). They can also make a jump to other animal species, including humans. The fear is that such a strain will take the wrong mix of mutations that will allow it to spread wide and cause serious illnesses in humans – the perfect recipe for deadly pandemic.

The most famous HPAI circulation of HPAI today is H5N1. Since the beginning of 2024 H5N1 causing outbursts among the cows All over the country and from time to time he has jumped to other mammals such as cats and people. But there are always other types of HPAI that spread around, including H7N9.

This particular poultry influenza subtype was first discovered in China in 2013. One of the reasons why H7N9 is worried is its deadlyness when it spills into humans. According to World Health OrganizationMost reported cases of human H7N9 have led to a serious illness. Of the 1568 cases of the H7N9, documented globally since 2013, 616 people were killed – 39% mortality.

The last known h7N9 outburst among poultry has occurred through 2017S But in early March, she made her unwanted return to a farm in Knoxubi, Mississippi. According to the WOAH, the virus was found in a flock of nearly 50,000 commercial chickens on broilers. Genetic tests confirming the identity of the strain is completed late last week.

“The USDA Health Inspectorate Office for Animals and Plants (APHIS), together with civil life officials of animal health and wildlife, conduct a complete epidemiological investigation and increased observation in response to the opening,” the report of the outbreak said.

As is the standard procedure for containing these highly contagious infections, the population of the exposed chickens on the farm is discarded. So this outbreak may remain an isolated incident. But the overall threat of bird flu is only increasing. According to Woah’s latest report, released Last month, there were already more poultry outbreaks at HPAI strains around the world in the first five months of the current seasonal wave (which began October 2024) than had full outbreaks throughout the previous season (October 2023 to September 2024).

These outbreaks have significantly contributed to the increase in egg prices, although their price begins to Get back backAccording to USDA. However, it is not certain to move forward how effective health officials will be to contain H5N1 and other strains of bird flu in the United States, given the overall inability of the Trump administration. Just last month the USDA had to collide to redirect bird flu experts that were laid down At the behest of the Donja of Elon Musk.