Several factors favour bovine influenza A detection on dairy versus beef farms
April 25, 2024
Recent detection in the United States of a highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus in dairy cattle is the first instance of this strain in bovines.
The World Organization for Animal Health said the detections “have raised concerns since such infections of cattle could indicate an increased risk of H5N1 viruses becoming better adapted to mammals, and potentially spilling over to humans and other livestock.”
So far, the virus has not been lethal to cattle and causes very different symptoms than it does in poultry. For that reason, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners wrote in an open letter April 8 that the virus in cattle should be referred to as bovine influenza A virus, or BIAV.