The cow flu virus, which is now affecting dairy herds in the US, is showing signs of potentially being able to infect humans through respiratory transmission, according to scientists. The H5N1 virus, typically found in birds, has been detected in cattle on over 100 farms in 12 states. Researchers have found inactivated remnants of the virus in pasteurized milk sold in supermarkets.
While four individuals who work closely with animals have been infected with the virus, their symptoms were mild, and they did not transmit the virus to others. Studies conducted by scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison reveal that viral samples collected from cows were able to bind to receptors present in human respiratory cells. This indicates that the bovine virus has undergone mutations, unlike the bird flu strain.
Tests carried out on ferrets, commonly used in flu research, demonstrated that the cow virus does not easily spread through respiration. However, Dr. Ed Hutchinson from the Medical Research Council and University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research emphasized the need for concern. He stated that the cow flu isolate displayed characteristics associated with the potential to spread through respiratory transmission in humans, although it has not done so yet.
The current H5N1 influenza virus, if it were to acquire the ability for efficient respiratory spread, could become more challenging to control and pose a greater risk to humans. While the cow flu has not reached this stage, it underscores the importance of closely monitoring the outbreak and taking swift action to contain it. Unlike regular human flu, which remains in the respiratory tract, H5N1 can spread to other parts of the body, with unknown consequences.
The US government has allocated funding to vaccine manufacturer Moderna to develop an H5N1 vaccine using mRNA technology, which can be quickly adjusted to match new virus strains. The World Health Organization states that the current risk to the public is minimal. However, the sudden appearance of the virus in cattle, a species not previously considered vulnerable, has raised concerns about the potential for a future human pandemic.
The research findings have been published in the scientific journal Nature. The ability of the cow flu virus to potentially infect humans through respiratory transmission highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and prompt action to prevent further spread and protect public health.
