Detection and Immediate Response
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) identified H5N1 bird flu in a pig on a small Oregon farm. This marks a significant development in the ongoing fight against the virus.
Pigs are a unique concern since they can contract both bird and human viruses. This co-infection increases the chance of genetic exchanges, which might create a more contagious virus affecting humans. Despite this, the USDA reassured the public that the national pork supply remains safe, and the risk to humans is still low.
Virologist Richard Webby, an animal flu expert from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, noted that pigs triggered the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic. He emphasized that a detection on a small farm is less concerning than one at a large commercial facility. However, any pig transmission could raise the potential risk of human infection.
The affected Oregon farm has been quarantined, with sheep, goats, and other animals under observation. To curb the virus’s spread, officials culled the pigs and poultry on-site. Testing is underway for the two remaining pigs on the farm.
Origins, Spread, and Market Impact
USDA officials stated that wild birds, not poultry or dairy farms, introduced the virus to the pig. Wild bird migrations have historically transmitted bird flu to various livestock.
To enhance monitoring, the USDA broadened bird flu surveillance to include bulk milk testing nationwide. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted the need to track the virus’s presence in dairy and cattle herds.
The infected pigs were not part of the commercial food supply. However, news of the infection affected lean hog futures at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Shared housing, water, and equipment for pigs and poultry on the farm may have facilitated the virus’s transmission. Similar pathways have caused outbreaks in other regions. This incident serves as a warning for pig farmers. Experts like Marie Culhane from the University of Minnesota recommend stricter farm biosecurity and better management of infection risks.
This year, 36 people have tested positive for bird flu, mainly farm workers exposed to infected animals. Since 2022, the virus has led to the culling of over 100 million poultry birds, making it the most severe bird flu outbreak in U.S. history.