Because the virus is transmitted by mammals, there are growing concerns that humans could someday contract bird flu, the Department of Agriculture announced.
So far this year, cases of avian influenza in mammals have been reported in three states: Washington, Montana and Kentucky. Washington state reported three striped skunks infected with the virus, while the virus was found in a mountain lion in Montana and a raccoon in Kentucky. According to the USDA.
The virus has been circulating in wild birds, especially domestic poultry, for decades and currently affects more than 82 million animals in 48 states.
Despite the current low risk, the spread to mammals has raised fears that humans could contract the virus.
“I think it’s very likely,” says Dr. Chris Walzer of the Wildlife Conservation Society. told CBS News. “This avian influenza outbreak poses one of the biggest threats to the world’s wildlife. We can’t wait to see it impact humans.”
Walzer said he is calling for better tracking of the disease to protect humanity from the virus because it is acquiring “new traits that can cause problems for us humans.” .
According to CBS News, scientists around the world are now being urged to watch for signs of the spread of bird flu.
Avian influenza has also been found in marine animals in South America, according to a new study published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The study used genomic testing and found nearly identical virus samples from four sea lions and one seal. According to the Wildlife Society.
In Argentina, Chile and Peru alone, the H5N1 virus has killed at least 600,000 wild birds and 50,000 mammals since 2022.
The virus is causing U.S. egg prices to soar as California’s large-scale poultry industry takes a hit.
Sunrise Farm in Sonoma County had to slaughter its entire flock of 550,000 chickens to comply with government regulations.
