In Oregon, a pig has tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus, marking the first time it has been found in swine in the United States. Additional testing is pending for two other pigs on the same farm, with two others testing negative. The infected pig showed no signs of illness, and all testing was done out of caution due to the presence of H5N1 in other animals on the premises. There are no concerns about the safety of the nation’s pork supply, as the farm is noncommercial and the animals were not intended for the food supply. The farm has been quarantined to prevent the spread of the virus, and other animals on the farm are under surveillance.
In addition to the pig case, there has been a rapid spread of the H5N1 virus among dairy cows in the US. 387 herds across 14 states have been infected, with a total of 36 human cases reported, mostly from direct contact with farm animals. Most cases have occurred in California and Colorado, with patients experiencing symptoms like red eyes and mild respiratory issues. There is currently no evidence of the virus mutating to spread easily between humans, as seen in the CDC investigation.
Officials are unsure how the pig in Oregon was exposed to the virus, but it may be linked to the presence of H5N1 in poultry on the farm. Further testing will be done to confirm the infection in the pig. Contamination in the nose is also a possibility, according to experts.
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