Spillover to dairy cows in the USA and spread by virus contamination of milking unit and among farms by transport of infected cattle. Limited to mastitis in cows but high viral load in milk. Until now 41 cases in dairy farm workers, 24 in poultry farm workers and 5 other/unknown source.
Comments
Now 74 species of wild animals and 21 species of domestic animals affected
Recommendations:
- expand goals to include protection of wildlife health
- context-specific cap on poultry production: recommended 20 yrs ago but not implemented
In USA 1 death in 70 reported human cases. At this moment no human-to-human transmission.
- H5N1 viruses from birds and cows not transmissible from ferret to ferret
- H5N1 viruses from humans or other mammals can be transmitted between ferrets
Virus shedded by ferrets infected by H5N1 from a human in the air for several days.
Adaptive mutations may facilitate transmission between mammals including humans. This should be monitored closely.
Conclusion: we are poorly prepared for a new influenza pandemic!