An organization representing American cattle veterinarians has opted to refer to bird flu in cattle as bovine influenza A virus, or BIAV, in hopes of distancing it from its avian counterpart.

“We believe it is important for the public to understand the difference to maintain confidence in the safety and accessibility of beef and dairy products for consumers,” the American Association of Bovine Practitioners said in a letter yesterday.

While the virus causes high morbidity and mortality in birds, the association said, it does not cause effect cattle in the same way despite being caused by the same H5N1 virus.

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