A new study raises concerns about the potential spread of H5N1 avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in the United States. The study, published recently, detected spikes in influenza A virus in wastewater samples from 59 sewer systems across 18 states this spring.
These findings coincide with outbreaks of H5N1 affecting dairy cattle in nine states, with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirming infections in over 30 herds. However, the full extent of the outbreak remains unclear due to challenges in tracking the virus.
According to USDA officials, some milk producers have been hesitant to allow testing of their herds. Additionally, recent grocery store milk samples revealed genetic material from H5N1 in 20% of tested samples, though further analysis confirmed these fragments were not infectious.
In response to these developments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been exploring wastewater monitoring as a potential tool to pinpoint areas with high viral activity. Dr. Nirav Shah, the CDC's principal deputy director, emphasized the need for a test that specifically identifies H5 influenza within the broader pool of A-strain flu viruses.
Researchers from Emory University, Stanford University, and Verily Life Sciences, a partner in the WastewaterSCAN network, have addressed this challenge by developing a test capable of differentiating H5 influenza in wastewater samples.
This breakthrough could offer valuable insights into the geographical spread of H5N1.
The study's findings highlight the potential of wastewater monitoring for early detection of animal disease outbreaks. It remains to be seen how widespread the H5N1 outbreak is and whether it poses a threat to human health. Continued surveillance efforts, including the new wastewater test, will be crucial in understanding the situation and taking appropriate actions.
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Source: CNN