Bird Flu In US: First Case Of Infected Pig, Threat To Humans

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Wednesday announced the first confirmed case of H5N1 avian influenza in a pig.

the infected pig was part of livestock, mixed with poultry in a backyard farm, however, the pig showed no signs of illness. It was found out as a part of a routine precautionary test, along with four other swine. When these five pigs were tested, one of them came out positive, two negative, and the other two were pending.

"The livestock and poultry on this farm shared water sources, housing and equipment in other states, this combination has enabled transmission between species," read the release by USDA. It also stated that the farm did not have any bearing on the safety of the nation's pork supply. The farm is now quarantined to contain the flu.

Experts have warned that pigs, known as "mixing vessels" for flu strains could pose new risks if the virus adapts for human transmission. On September 6, the first case of a person in the US to come into contact with avian influenza or the bird flu was confirmed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the person was treated with antiviral medication and was discharged after making a full discovery.

The initial test indicated an unusual flu strain that got the state and federal laboratories to get involved. The later tests confirmed the presence of H5 virus, or known as the avian or bird flu.

There are a total of 14 cases of bird flu in the US this year. However, this is the first case of human infection without direct exposure to animals.

Missouri health officials also noted that no H5 infections have been reported in dairy cattle within the state, except in wild birds and among commercial and backyard poultry flocks.

Bird flu primarily infected farmworkers or those in close proximity to livestock. The first human bird flu case in the US was reported in 2022, to a person who was also involved in farm-working.

While this flu is largely confined to birds in the wild and poultry, recent outbreaks have been reported in mammals too, including cattle.

While 14 cases are in the US, the CDC notes that the risk to the general public is still at low, however, this warning could change. "Although human infections are rare, circumstances may evolve as we learn more about this case," said the CDC in a statement.