Science Weekly From birds, to cattle, to … us? Could bird flu be the next pandemic?
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Apr 25, 2024 
Dr Ed Hutchinson, Virologist at Glasgow University, discusses the unexpected emergence of bird flu in Texas cattle, the risks of cross-species transmission to humans, challenges in tracking mutations, and the importance of preparedness for a potential flu pandemic.
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Bird Flu in Cows: An Unexpected Host
- Bird flu in cows was unexpected, as cows are not a typical host for influenza A viruses.
- While influenza viruses can jump between species, cows have their own influenza D viruses.
Bird Flu Transmission in Cows
- The bird flu may have spread among cows through long-range cattle movements within the US dairy industry.
- It is also present in the cow's milk, unlike typical respiratory transmission.
Tracking Bird Flu Evolution
- Scientists use gene sequencing to track the spread and evolution of viruses like bird flu.
- They are looking for adaptations to mammals, but data limitations hinder analysis.