Certain animals can and do transmit Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI, specifically H5N1) amongst their own herds or flocks
, representing a significant shift from the virus's traditional behavior. While historically avian flu was a "dead-end" infection in mammals, recent outbreaks show evidence of sustained mammal-to-mammal transmission.
Study confirms mammal-to-mammal avian flu spread
By Krishna Ramanujan, Cornell Chronicle July 24, 2024
LINK:
A new study provides evidence that a spillover of avian influenza from birds to dairy cattle across several U.S. states has now led to mammal-to-mammal transmission – between cows and from cows t...
&
The global H5N1 influenza panzootic in mammals
LINK:
This Perspective reviews the molecular and ecological factors that have driven the expansion in geographical distribution and host species range of H5N1 avian influenza viruses, leading to the curr...
