Canadian Authorities Urged to Intensify Surveillance as H5N1 Bird Flu Surges Among U.S. Dairy Cattle
Source: The DairyNews
Amid a burgeoning outbreak of H5N1 avian flu among dairy cattle in the United States, Canadian scientists and experts are raising alarm bells, warning that limited surveillance efforts may leave Canada vulnerable to the virus's spread.
The Situation South of the Border
In the U.S., the explosive spread of H5N1 has struck dozens of herds across nine states, prompting concerns about its potential impact on both animal and human health. While the virus appears to induce milder infections in cattle, its lethality among other species, including birds, cats, and even humans, underscores the urgency of robust surveillance and preventive measures.
Warnings from Canadian Experts
Canadian scientists, including immunologist Matthew Miller from McMaster University, emphasize the pressing need for proactive measures. They caution that without a comprehensive surveillance program, Canada risks falling behind the virus's rapid spread.
Calls for Action
Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases expert at the University Health Network in Toronto, stresses the importance of active surveillance in Canada. This includes monitoring animals and humans in close contact with them through various methods such as wastewater surveillance and nasal swabs.
Matthew Miller highlights the potential for the virus to adapt to more mammals, increasing the risk of human-to-human transmission. Urgent action, he argues, is essential to prevent a full-blown pandemic.
Concerns Over Human Health
While the U.S. has reported one human infection linked to the cattle outbreaks, experts suspect there may be more cases that have gone undetected. Dr. Scott Weese from the University of Guelph emphasizes the need for proactive testing, including surveillance of milk, to detect potential cases early.
Efforts to Address the Threat
Federal agencies in the U.S. are ramping up testing efforts, with the USDA announcing plans to test ground beef in affected states. However, concerns persist about the virus's spread between cattle and poultry farms, underscoring the need for comprehensive measures to contain its transmission.
With the outbreak officially spreading to 34 herds across nine states, and concerning impacts observed on farm cats, the urgency for proactive measures both in the U.S. and Canada cannot be overstated.
In the U.S., the explosive spread of H5N1 has struck dozens of herds across nine states, prompting concerns about its potential impact on both animal and human health. While the virus appears to induce milder infections in cattle, its lethality among other species, including birds, cats, and even humans, underscores the urgency of robust surveillance and preventive measures.
Warnings from Canadian Experts
Canadian scientists, including immunologist Matthew Miller from McMaster University, emphasize the pressing need for proactive measures. They caution that without a comprehensive surveillance program, Canada risks falling behind the virus's rapid spread.
Calls for Action
Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases expert at the University Health Network in Toronto, stresses the importance of active surveillance in Canada. This includes monitoring animals and humans in close contact with them through various methods such as wastewater surveillance and nasal swabs.
Matthew Miller highlights the potential for the virus to adapt to more mammals, increasing the risk of human-to-human transmission. Urgent action, he argues, is essential to prevent a full-blown pandemic.
Concerns Over Human Health
While the U.S. has reported one human infection linked to the cattle outbreaks, experts suspect there may be more cases that have gone undetected. Dr. Scott Weese from the University of Guelph emphasizes the need for proactive testing, including surveillance of milk, to detect potential cases early.
Efforts to Address the Threat
Federal agencies in the U.S. are ramping up testing efforts, with the USDA announcing plans to test ground beef in affected states. However, concerns persist about the virus's spread between cattle and poultry farms, underscoring the need for comprehensive measures to contain its transmission.
With the outbreak officially spreading to 34 herds across nine states, and concerning impacts observed on farm cats, the urgency for proactive measures both in the U.S. and Canada cannot be overstated.
