New Research Reveals Asymptomatic Spread of H5N1 Avian Flu in Dairy Cattle Four Months Before Confirmation

Multiple states (Texas panhandle, Michigan), United States United States of America
At least three dozen infected herds across nine states have been identified
FDA advises pasteurized dairy products are not a risk for transmission
Five introductions of the B3.13 genotype identified from cattle to poultry, one to a raccoon, two to domestic cats, and three to wild birds
Genetic sequencing findings suggest asymptomatic cattle movement is likely driving transmission
H5N1 virus had been devastating wild and domestic bird populations since 2022, infecting a growing number of mammals
Michigan and Colorado have announced emergency measures in response to the outbreak
New research suggests virus had been circulating among these animals for at least four months prior to confirmation
One farmworker who came into contact with infected cows tested positive for H5N1 and recovered
USDA confirmed H5N1 avian flu in dairy cattle across multiple states in late March 2024
USDA study indicates gaps in data and surveillance raising possibility of undetected transmission chains
New Research Reveals Asymptomatic Spread of H5N1 Avian Flu in Dairy Cattle Four Months Before Confirmation

In late March 2024, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the presence of H5N1 avian flu in dairy cattle across multiple states. However, new research suggests that this virus had been circulating among these animals for at least four months prior to confirmation.

According to a preprint study led by the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL), five introductions of the B3.13 genotype from cattle to poultry, one to a raccoon, two to domestic cats, and three to wild birds have been identified.

The findings come as Michigan and Colorado have announced emergency measures in response to the outbreak. In Michigan, dairy farms and commercial poultry farms are required to implement biosecurity steps. Lactating cattle are barred from being displayed until no new detections for 60 days, and interstate movement of lactating cattle is restricted.

Colorado has adopted an emergency rule requiring mandatory testing of lactating cattle moving interstate.

The genetic sequencing findings suggest that asymptomatic cattle movement is likely driving transmission. Scientists have identified about two dozen mutations in the H5N1 virus as it has circulated in dairy cattle, some of which make influenza viruses more deadly or more likely to infect humans.

The USDA study also indicates that there are gaps in data and surveillance, raising the possibility of undetected transmission chains. The researchers suggest that these gaps could be addressed through increased testing and monitoring in affected herds.

The H5N1 virus had been devastating wild and domestic bird populations since 2022, infecting a growing number of mammals. One farmworker who came into contact with infected cows tested positive for H5N1 and recovered. The USDA official confirmation of H5N1 in dairy cows occurred on March 25, 20XX, and at least three dozen infected herds across nine states have been identified.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised that pasteurized dairy products are not a risk for transmission. The metagenomic sequencing technique for identifying emerging pathogens is being used to prevent outbreaks in animals leading to human pandemics. Transmission routes include wild birds, cattle, domestic poultry flocks, and raccoons.

Despite the efforts of regulatory bodies and scientists, H5N1 now seems well-entrenched in the dairy cattle population.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Are all infected herds across nine states accounted for?
  • Is there a definitive source of the initial introduction of H5N1 to dairy cattle?

Sources

84%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Bird flu virus circulated in cows for four months before outbreak confirmed by USDA, analysis shows

STAT News Megan Molteni Thursday, 02 May 2024 19:42
  • Unique Points
    • The virus circulated in cows for approximately 4 months before confirmation by USDA.
    • Researchers have identified about two dozen mutations in the H5N1 virus as it has circulated in dairy cattle that are known to make influenza viruses more deadly or more likely to infect humans.
  • Accuracy
    • The H5N1 avian influenza virus jumped into US dairy cattle herds in the Texas panhandle around early December 2023.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position about the H5N1 avian influenza virus spreading in U.S. dairy cattle for months before confirmation by USDA. The article also references a pre-print study that has not been peer-reviewed, which is not disclosed to the reader.
    • The new analysis offers a window into how the bird flu is changing as it spends time in the bodies of cattle.
    • So far, the USDA has reported 36 herds in nine states have tested positive for the virus.
    • The other instance was a number of outbreaks at mink farms in Spain and Finland in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
  • Fallacies (95%)
    No blatant formal or informal fallacies found in the article. However, there is a slight tendency to present the spread of the virus in cows as more extensive than officially reported due to genetic analysis - which could be seen as an appeal to authority. The author presents findings from USDA scientists and academic DNA sleuths without committing her own opinion on their validity, so it cannot be considered an appeal to authority in a strict sense.
    • The spread in cattle started from a single spillover event from birds in the Texas panhandle that may have happened in early December. The USDA didn't confirm the presence of H5N1 in a Texas herd until March 25.
    • In an initial analysis of USDA genome sequence data released last week, academic DNA sleuths had revealed that the outbreak in dairy cows has likely been going on for months longer than previously realized, and has probably spread more widely than official numbers would suggest.
    • The new analysis also offers a window into how the bird flu is changing as it spends time in the bodies of cattle.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

USDA genome study sheds light on H5N1 avian flu spillover to cows, but data gaps remain

Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), University of Minnesota, Friday, 03 May 2024 08:20
  • Unique Points
    • Five introductions of B3.13 genotype from cattle to poultry, one to a raccoon, two to domestic cats, and three to wild birds have been identified.
    • Michigan announced emergency measures requiring dairy farms and commercial poultry farms to implement biosecurity steps, barring lactating cattle from being displayed until no new detections for 60 days, and restricting interstate movement of lactating cattle.
    • Colorado adopted an emergency rule requiring mandatory testing of lactating cattle moving interstate.
  • Accuracy
    • H5N1 virus was circulating in dairy cattle for 4 months before detection in late March (article) vs H5N1 virus jumped into US dairy cattle herds around early December 2023 (otherArticle #1)
    • Five introductions of B3.13 genotype from cattle to poultry, one to a raccoon, two to domestic cats, and three to wild birds have been identified (article) vs H5N1 had infected a raccoon and cats living near dairy farms (otherArticle #2)
    • Michigan announced emergency measures requiring dairy farms and commercial poultry farms to implement biosecurity steps, barring lactating cattle from being displayed until no new detections for 60 days, and restricting interstate movement of lactating cattle (article) vs At least three dozen infected herds reported across nine states as of March 2023 (otherArticle #2)
    • Colorado adopted an emergency rule requiring mandatory testing of lactating cattle moving interstate (article) vs H5N1 had been devastating wild and domestic bird populations since 2022 and infecting a growing number of mammals (otherArticle #2)
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

80%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

H5N1 bird flu was circulating in dairy cows for four months before it was detected, USDA scientists say

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Brenda Goodman Thursday, 02 May 2024 21:29
  • Unique Points
    • H5N1 bird flu was circulating in dairy cows for at least four months before it was detected
    • One farmworker who came into contact with infected cows tested positive for H5N1 and recovered
    • H5N1 had been devastating wild and domestic bird populations since 2022 and infecting a growing number of mammals
  • Accuracy
    • The H5N1 avian influenza virus jumped into US dairy cattle herds around early December 2023.
    • H5N1 virus was circulating in dairy cattle for 4 months before detection
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position about the USDA's handling of the H5N1 bird flu outbreak. The article quotes Dr. Michael Worobey stating 'We could have done a much better job catching H5N1 in dairy cows.' and 'We have to get out of the mindset of waiting for that tip of the iceberg of sick animals or sick humans to be noticed.' These statements imply that there was a failure on the part of the USDA to properly address the outbreak in a timely manner. However, no counter-arguments or opposing viewpoints are presented in the article. Additionally, there is sensationalism with phrases such as 'growing pile of evidence' and 'evolving into something more dangerous.'
    • The new study gives the USDA’s account of how bird flu seemed to spread so quickly to herds across the US.
    • Despite the lack of critical background information on those samples, that group came to nearly the same conclusion as the USDA: that the virus had crossed over from wild birds to cows between mid-November and mid-January.
    • The research also found infected cattle that had no apparent connections, suggesting that ‘there are affected herds that have not yet been identified.’
  • Fallacies (90%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting Dr. Michael Worobey and his opinions on how the H5N1 virus could have been detected earlier. However, this does not constitute a fallacy as long as it is clear that the author is reporting on Dr. Worobey's opinions and not presenting them as facts.
    • ]We could have done a much better job[...]Instead, he said, animals need to be routinely tested with ‘modern techniques’ for identifying emerging pathogens.[
    • If that had been done, that would have revealed H5N1 in January and then even beyond that.
  • Bias (95%)
    The author expresses a critical view of the USDA's handling of the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in dairy cows, implying that they could have done a better job detecting it earlier. She quotes Dr. Michael Worobey who suggests that modern techniques for identifying emerging pathogens should be used instead of waiting for sick animals or humans to be noticed.
    • Instead, he said, animals need to be routinely tested with modern techniques for identifying emerging pathogens.
      • We could have done a much better job catching H5N1 in dairy cows.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication