A previously unseen strain of bird flu, highly pathogenic H5N9, has been identified in a California farm. This discovery raises concerns about potential spread and evolution of the virus.
A novel strain of bird flu, designated highly pathogenic H5N9 , has been detected in poultry at a California farm, marking the first instance of this particular virus in the United States. While not identical to the H5N1 strain currently circulating among dairy cows and poultry, causing human infections, H5N9 shares structural similarities and is classified as a highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) virus.
This discovery has raised concerns among experts who are closely monitoring the situation.H5N9's emergence is suspected to be linked to genetic reassortment, a process where viruses exchange genetic information. This could have occurred between circulating H5N1 viruses and other flu viruses carrying the N9 protein, which contributes to the virus subtype's name. Ducks, known to be susceptible to various avian flu viruses without exhibiting severe symptoms, may have served as a breeding ground for this genetic recombination. This allows infected ducks to survive and spread the virus to other hosts, potentially accelerating its evolution.The California farm where H5N9 was detected has implemented strict control measures. Nearly 119,000 birds have been culled to prevent further spread of the infection. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in collaboration with state animal health and wildlife officials, is conducting comprehensive epidemiological investigations and enhanced surveillance. While the current public health risk remains low according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals working directly with potentially infected animals face a higher risk. The CDC is actively monitoring the situation and collaborating with states to track potential human cases.
BIRD FLU H5N9 CALIFORNIA GENETIC REASSORTMENT OUTBREAK PUBLIC HEALTH
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