In a bid to unravel the mysteries surrounding the transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the USDA has unveiled a trove of genetic sequences of the virus.
A total of 239 genetic sequences of the H5N1 virus, sourced from dairy cows, poultry, and wild birds, have been made available by the agency. This initiative aims to shed light on how the virus has adapted to infect bovines and its transmission patterns within dairy herds.
According to the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota, the data provided by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will significantly expedite ongoing research efforts. Previously, researchers were constrained by the limited number of genetic sequences obtained from Iowa State University. The APHIS data, however, encompasses H5N1 virus sequences from a diverse range of species including blackbirds, cats, cattle, chickens, grackles, geese, and raccoons, and will be continuously updated.
Simultaneously, recent HPAI cases among poultry in Michigan and New Mexico, as well as bovine influenza A virus (BIAV) cases in dairy cattle across eight U.S. states, have spurred USDA agencies to consider vaccination as a preventive measure. APHIS has announced that it will evaluate the development, efficacy, production, and vaccination costs with potential developers for any prospective vaccine program.
