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More Mammals Confirmed with Bird Flu

January 9, 2023 • 3:30 pm CST
USDA 2022-2023 Detections of HAPI in Mammals
(Precision Vaccinations News)

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed today additional highly pathogenic avian influenza (HAPI) H5N1 detections in mammals.

The updated USDA listing as of January 9, 2023, includes skunks, bears, raccoons, and another red fox.

The USDA previously confirmed the Eurasian H5N1 strain first appeared in North America in January 2022.

On January 5, 2023, the StarHeral reported HAPI infections were the cause of death for four animals at the Riverside Discovery Center in Scottsbluff. The Nebraska zoo confirmed a cougar, bear, and two tigers had died.

The release indicates the animals ate local geese with HPAI in their systems.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says although bird flu (HAPI) viruses mainly infect and spread among wild migratory water birds and domestic poultry, some bird flu viruses can infect other animals as well.

While it’s unlikely people would become infected with bird flu viruses, it is possible, says the CDC.

Globally, six human influenza A H5N1 2.3.4.4b infections were reported last year, including a man working with birds in Colorado

Since April 2022, about 110 H5N1 detections in mammals were confirmed during 2022.

The USDA reported HAPI detections had affected 47 states and led to the loss of over 57.8 million birds as of January 4, 2023.

Additional HAPI (bird-flu) news is posted at PrecisionVaccinations.com/Avain.

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