University of Saskatchewan

H5N1 Bird Flu Detected in U.S. Pig for First Time, Raising Transmission Concerns

a month ago

• The USDA has confirmed the first case of H5N1 bird flu in a pig at an Oregon backyard farm, marking a significant development in the virus's spread across species in the United States. • The infected pig shared resources with H5N1-positive poultry on the same farm, highlighting the risk of cross-species transmission when animals share water sources, housing, and equipment. • Public health experts express heightened concern as pigs are considered "mixing bowl" species for influenza viruses, potentially enabling viral mutations that could increase transmissibility to humans.