As more cows infected with H5N1 in California are dying, concerns rise that the virus could have mutated

Medical News: The H5N1 bird flu virus, once known for impacting birds and poultry, is now hitting a new and unexpected group in California: dairy cows. In recent months, the state's Central Valley, a key area for dairy production, has reported an alarming increase in the number of cows infected with the virus. What started as isolated cases of infection has escalated, causing concern among experts and farmers alike that the virus may have mutated into a more dangerous form for mammals.


As more cows infected with H5N1 in California are dying, concerns rise that the virus
could have mutated
 
Rising Death Rates Among Dairy Cows
Initial warnings about H5N1 affecting cows had predicted a lower death rate, with only a small percentage of infected cows expected to succumb to the illness, estimated at about 2%.
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza/avian-influenza-virus-type-h5n1-us-dairy-cattle
 
However, the current situation paints a far bleaker picture. Recent observations suggest that between 10% and 15% of infected cows are dying - far more than originally anticipated. This Medical News report brings attention to the growing concern that something more serious could be unfolding.
 
Veterinarians in the area have expressed their surprise at how severe the outbreaks have become. One Central Valley veterinarian noted that the disease has become a major threat to both cow health and dairy production, impacting entire herds in ways that were not initially expected.
 
“It’s been much more serious than we were initially led to believe,” remarked one veterinarian, adding that the virus seems to be exacerbating existing health issues in the cows, leading to higher death rates.
 
How the Virus is Affecting Cows
Unlike birds, where the virus primarily targets the respiratory system, cows infected with H5N1 appear to suffer from a broader range of symptoms. Experts have observed that many cows develop complications like bacterial pneumonia, which weakens their immune systems and leads to further infections. Some cows have also been reported to suffer from bloat - a condition where the stomach expands with gas, preventing them from breathing properly.
 
When cows contract the virus, their overall health takes a severe hit. The animals stop eating and drinking, which disrupts their digestive system. This in turn causes a dangerous chain reaction in their bodies, often leading to death. In some cases, the stress of being sick, combined with other factors such as extreme heat, has made it harder for the animals to recover.
 
In the Central Valley, temperatures often rise above 100 degrees during the summer, and the heat adds another layer of strain on already sick cows. &quo t;Heat stress is a major issue for dairy cows in California, and the added pressure from the virus seems to make things much worse," said another veterinarian who has been monitoring the situation.
 
Extended Illness and New Signs of Mutation
In addition to higher death rates, another worrying trend has emerged: the virus seems to be affecting cows for longer periods of time. While early reports suggested that infected cows would recover within one to two weeks, veterinarians are now seeing cows stay sick for several weeks or even longer.

Some cows are still shedding the virus weeks after they initially fell ill, leading experts to believe that H5N1 might be mutating. At one dairy farm, cows were found to be carrying the virus for more than three weeks, far beyond the typical infection window.
 
Not only are more cows getting sick, but they are also struggling to recover fully. Experts estimate that even the cows that survive are not returning to full health. Instead, these cows produce less milk, which could have significant economic impacts for farmers who rely on healthy herds to maintain production levels.
 
Could the Virus Be Mutating?
There is growing speculation among experts that the H5N1 virus might be mutating as it spreads through California’s dairy farms. Some veterinarians have reported anecdotal evidence that cows, once infected and recovered, may be getting reinfected - a phenomenon that raises the possibility of a new and more resilient strain of the virus. Though no definitive evidence has yet emerged, the idea that the virus could evolve to reinfect previously infected animals is a troubling one.
 
The virus’s ability to jump between species and cause infections in mammals, such as cows, could indicate that it is mutating to better adapt to different hosts. This ability to spread efficiently among mammals has raised alarms among virologists who have studied H5N1 in birds for decades.
 
“This virus is spreading faster than we anticipated, and it’s showing signs of adapting to mammals in ways that we haven’t seen before,” one observer noted.
 
Public Health Concerns
As the situation continues to develop, officials have been quick to reassure the public that the dairy supply remains safe. Milk from infected cows undergoes pasteurization, a process that kills harmful pathogens, including the H5N1 virus. Consumers have been advised to avoid raw milk, which could still carry traces of the virus.
 
One troubling sign, however, is the occurrence of dead barn cats found near dairy farms. Some cats are believed to have consumed raw milk from infected cows, leading to their deaths. This has become a key indicator that the virus has spread to a farm.
 
The virus’s reach has extended beyond dairy farms, with traces of H5N1 found in wastewater samples in cities such as Turlock, San Francisco, and Palo Alto. While it is unclear whether these findings are linked directly to the dairy farms or are the result of wild birds carrying the virus, it has prompted health officials to intensify their surveillance.
 
Conclusion: Urgent Action Needed
With more cows falling ill and dying from H5N1, the situation in California’s dairy farms is becoming increasingly concerning. The virus is no longer just a bird flu but has become a threat to mammals as well. Experts are urging swift action to contain the virus and prevent further spread. There is growing concern that the virus could continue to mutate, potentially leading to more severe outbreaks not only among cows but possibly in other mammals, raising the stakes for both public health and the agricultural industry.
 
Officials must act quickly to implement stronger measures to monitor and contain the virus. Some experts believe it’s time to dust off old pandemic response plans and take a more aggressive approach to dealing with the outbreak. Continued testing and increased biosecurity measures on farms will be crucial in preventing the situation from worsening.
 
For farmers, the current outbreak has proven devastating. With reduced milk production and increased cow mortality, many are struggling to keep their operations afloat. The full impact of the H5N1 virus on California's dairy industry remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the virus is a growing problem that demands urgent attention.
 
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/california-investigates-third-potential-human-h5n1-bird-flu-case-linked-to-dairy-farms
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/reuters-claims-that-united-states-underreporting-h5n1-avian-flu-cases-in-dairy-cows-and-other-data
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/infected-cows-can-produce-milk-that-has-a-changed-composition-which-can-affect-human-health
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/h5n1-avian-flu