Latest news with #birdflu
NHK
2 days ago
- Health
- NHK
Researchers: Delayed treatment of bird flu may raise risk of drug-resistance
A group of researchers says delayed treatment of a type of bird flu now spreading on dairy farms in the United States may increase the virus's drug-resistance. The group is led by Professor Kawaoka Yoshihiro of the University of Tokyo Pandemic Preparedness, Infection and Advanced Research Center. It has been studying the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus that has spread rapidly among US dairy cattle since early 2024. There have been reports that the virus appears to have been transmitted from cows to humans in 41 cases. The researchers gave the antiviral drug Xofluza, or baloxavir marboxil, to mice infected with bovine H5N1 virus and examined its efficacy. They say that of the five mice treated with Xofluza from 24 hours after infection, three died within 21 days. They say a Xofluza-resistant virus was found in one dead mouse. The researchers say all five mice that were given Xofluza from 48 hours after infection died. Three of them reportedly had drug-resistant viruses. But the group says none of the mice given the drug starting one hour after infection died, and no drug-resistant viruses were found in them. Professor Kawaoka says there is a possibility that the virus multiplies so quickly that the emergence of drug-resistance might be facilitated. He says there is need to explore ways to respond, such as extending the period of drug administration and increasing dosage, in case humans are infected.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Arctic birders combat impact of climate change and avian flu on delicate ecosystem
Norway Seabirds VARDØ, Norway (AP) — In one of the top Arctic birding destinations in the world, environmental and health challenges are threatening some of the seabirds that are part of Norway's unique coastal ecosystem. The population of kittiwakes has decreased by 80% since the 1990s along the Scandinavian country's coast. The small seagull species, among others, is under siege from climate change, predation, local fisheries and the bird flu. So the town of Vardø, on the remote Vardøya Island in the Barents Sea, has stepped up to help the migrating visitors. Three years ago, local fisherman Jan Vidar Hansen built a 'seagull hotel' out of crates for kittiwakes and other seabirds to nest in safely. The hotel has the added bonus of limiting the spread of unwelcome smells, dirty nests and droppings that have become a nuisance for the island's human population. 'The first year there was 55 nests. Last year it was 74, and this year we have 76,' Vidar Hansen said. He hopes the local council will agree to build a bigger seagull hotel in the future. Seabirds have long been an important part of the identity of Vardø — so much so that the local museum has an exhibition dedicated to them. The town is known for its birding tourism as much as its radar station, which provides critical data to the U.S. Strategic Command thanks to its location nearly 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Russia's military hub on the Kola Peninsula. The Gulf Stream Norway's northern coast is an ecologically diverse area due to its topography as well as the Gulf Stream, which brings warmer water up from the Gulf of Mexico and then mixes with the cold Arctic air and water. This warmer water keeps the Barents Sea free from ice even though it's north of the Arctic Circle, and brings tons of fish larvae and other biomass up the Norwegian coast. But the Gulf Stream is affected by climate change and is now bringing water that is too warm into the Barents Sea, changing the rich composition of the species there. It affects congregations of seabirds, marine mammals and, of course, many fish species. Fish that need colder water are being pushed further north, while others that require the mix of warmer and Arctic water — like the small schooling fish called capelin — are seeing their migration patterns disturbed. Capelin, for instance, are a major part of the diet for surface-feeding seabirds like kittiwakes, according to Tone Kristin Reiertsen, a researcher with the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. When capelin either swim deeper into the sea to get to colder water, or migrate further north, seabirds cannot get to them, she said. That in turn impacts the success of seabirds' breeding because they depend on capelin to bring to their chicks. Boris Belchev, a bird guide and ranger on the nearby Hornøya Island, says it's a frightening domino effect. "I was seeing birds that usually eat fish on the tundra start eating berries because they don't have their normal food,' he said. With fewer seabirds surviving, those who remain are easy targets for predators like white-tailed eagles, Reiertsen said. Plus, fisheries situated close to the coastal cliff nesting sites can disturb the dynamics of the colonies. And then there's the threat of bird flu. In 2023, a large outbreak killed some 25,000 kittiwakes alone along the northern Norwegian coast, Reiertsen said. 'It felt like an apocalypse," she said. Empty nests Vidar Hansen's seagull hotel in Vardø is one of seven such kittiwake hotels along the Norwegian coast, Reiertsen said. 'It's not an easy task to get the kittiwakes to move in to these hotels,' she said with a laugh. But it's working. The small seagulls in recent years have migrated deeper into Vardø's center in search of protection from predators. There were roughly 300 kittiwakes nesting in various buildings in the town and now the population there is roughly 1,300, she added. Before the Vardø hotel, there were "many empty nests around the whole city,' Vidar Hansen said. Reiertsen said kittiwakes and other seabirds are crucial to the region's ecology. Their droppings bring important nutrients into the sea, and further decreases in their population could be dangerous to the entire ecosystem. She said officials need to change their mindset from monitoring the problem to figuring out how to fix it. A potential idea, she added, could be limiting or prohibiting fisheries and boat traffic near nesting colonies. 'We don't have much time,' she said. 'We have to act quickly.' Economic drivers The seabirds are also key to Vardø's economy. Just a short boat ride away from Vardø lies Hornøya Island, a birdwatchers' paradise. Thousands of visitors flock to the uninhabited Hornøya, which is home to some 100,000 seabirds nesting there during breeding season, including much-loved Atlantic puffins, common guillemots and razorbills. But the island's seabird population has also declined dramatically in recent years. There haven't been any recorded common guillemot chicks there since 2018, Belchev said. 'Last summer, I was shocked. 'What's going on here? Where are all the birds?'' he said. If Norway's government closes the island to the public, or birds stop nesting there and the birdwatchers stop coming, it could have a huge impact on Vardøya Island. 'Every small business in the town, it's depending on the tourists to come and visit the island and stay in the town and shop and use the gas station and use the small restaurants,' Belchev said. __ Dazio reported from Berlin. Tommi Ojala in Vardø, Norway, contributed to this report. __ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at Solve the daily Crossword
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Washington Post
Arctic birders combat impact of climate change and avian flu on delicate ecosystem
VARDØ, Norway — In one of the top Arctic birding destinations in the world, environmental and health challenges are threatening some of the seabirds that are part of Norway's unique coastal ecosystem. The population of kittiwakes has decreased by 80% since the 1990s along the Scandinavian country's coast. The small seagull species, among others, is under siege from climate change , predation, local fisheries and the bird flu .
Sustainability Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Sustainability Times
'They Drank Infected Milk and Spread Chaos': Scientists Trace Bird Flu Outbreak in US Cows to Rampaging, Virus-Carrying Calves
IN A NUTSHELL 🦠 A recent study reveals that calves can transmit the H5N1 bird flu virus to dairy cows through nursing, affecting mammary glands. can transmit the to dairy cows through nursing, affecting mammary glands. 📈 The virus has impacted over 1,070 dairy farms across 17 U.S. states, causing a mortality rate of up to 10% among infected cattle. across 17 U.S. states, causing a mortality rate of up to 10% among infected cattle. 💡 Researchers hypothesize that 'mouth-to-teat' transmission is a key route for infection, facilitated by self-nursing and mutual-nursing behaviors. transmission is a key route for infection, facilitated by self-nursing and mutual-nursing behaviors. 💉 Two vaccines, an H5 inactivated vaccine and a hemagglutinin-based DNA vaccine, have shown promising results in protecting cattle from the H5N1 infection. The H5N1 bird flu poses an urgent threat to both animal and human health, as revealed by a recent study. This highly contagious virus, typically known for affecting respiratory systems, has baffled scientists by invading the mammary glands of dairy cows. Conducted under the guidance of Professor Hualan Chen from the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, this research uncovers the pathway through which the virus spreads among cattle. With devastating impacts already observed in the United States, this revelation is crucial for developing strategies to control and prevent future outbreaks. The study also holds global significance for the dairy industry, emphasizing the need for immediate action. Study on Cattle in China The H5N1 bird flu has been a concern for global health since its impact on poultry and wild birds intensified in 2021. However, the situation took a dramatic turn in March 2024 when dairy cattle in the United States became the new victims. By June 2025, the virus had affected over 1,070 dairy farms across 17 states, resulting in a mortality rate of up to 10% among infected cattle. The human impact is also worrisome, with 41 dairy farm workers contracting the virus. This crisis not only threatens the dairy industry but also public health, as the virus damages mammary glands and contaminates milk. Remarkably, genes of the H5N1 virus were found in 25% of U.S. retail milk samples. The pressing question is how a respiratory pathogen infiltrates the mammary glands of dairy cows. The research involved 50 cattle housed in a high-security facility, meticulously examining the virus's replication and spread through various inoculation methods. Discover the Top Nutrient-Rich Foods that Can Assist in Your Weight Loss Journey Potential Vaccines The study revealed that the virus only replicated in the mouth and respiratory tract when it entered through the nose. When directly introduced into the mammary gland, the virus was contained, indicating that the natural infection route is through the teat. This led to the hypothesis that 'mouth-to-teat' transmission could be the pathway for infection. Some lactating cows, known for 'stealing milk' through self-nursing or mutual-nursing, might facilitate this transmission. Bovine oral tissues, rich in sialic acid receptors, are particularly susceptible to viral infection from contaminated feed and water, allowing the virus to efficiently replicate and spread. The researchers confirmed that calves with H5N1 in their mouths could transmit the virus to the mammary glands of the cows they nursed. The mystery was unraveled, paving the way for potential solutions. Could vaccination, successful for avian influenza in poultry, protect cattle as well? Tests of two vaccines in lactating cattle showed promising results. Both an H5 inactivated vaccine and a hemagglutinin-based DNA vaccine offered complete protection against H5N1, even under high-dose viral challenges. 'Your Breath Is a Signature': Scientists Reveal Human Breath Is as Unique and Traceable as a Fingerprint Strategies for Disease Management The successful demonstration of vaccine efficacy provides a critical strategy for protecting dairy herds and safeguarding public health. The study suggests that implementing vaccination programs could be a viable solution for controlling H5N1 outbreaks in cattle. This approach not only shields cattle from infection but also helps maintain the integrity of the milk supply chain. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of monitoring and managing cattle interactions, particularly focusing on calves and their nursing behaviors. By understanding the specific transmission routes, farmers and veterinarians can implement targeted measures to disrupt the spread of the virus. The study also highlights the need for global collaboration, as the lessons learned could inform strategies in other countries facing similar threats. « This brewing habit could silently hurt you »: these common coffee preparation methods directly linked to increased heart disease risk Implications for Global Health The findings of this study, published in the journal National Science Review, have significant implications for global health and the dairy industry. As H5N1 continues to spread, it is imperative to adopt comprehensive strategies that incorporate vaccination, surveillance, and biosecurity measures. The research conducted by Professor Chen and her team offers a roadmap for managing the disease not only in the United States but also in other countries at risk. By addressing the root causes and transmission pathways, the dairy industry can mitigate the impact of future outbreaks. The study serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of animal and human health, urging stakeholders to prioritize proactive measures. As we navigate the complexities of H5N1 and its impact on cattle, the need for further research and collaboration becomes evident. How can the global community come together to effectively combat this threat, and what additional measures can be implemented to ensure the safety of both animals and humans? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (21)
Reuters
4 days ago
- Health
- Reuters
Spain reports bird flu outbreak on turkey farm
PARIS, July 18 (Reuters) - Spain has reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on a fattening turkey farm in the southwestern region of Extremadura, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said, citing Spanish authorities. The spread of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has ravaged flocks around the world, disrupting supply and fuelling higher food prices. Its spread to mammals, including dairy cows in the United States, has raised concerns among governments about a risk of human transmission. The outbreak killed almost the entire flock of 6,895 turkeys, with the 10 surviving birds slaughtered as a precaution, the report said.
