- NEWS
Genomic analysis suggests that the outbreak probably began in December or January, but a shortage of data is hampering efforts to pin down the source.
A strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza has silently been spreading among US cattle for months, according to preliminary analysis of genomic data. The outbreak probably began when the virus jumped from an infected bird to a cow, around late last December or early January. This implies a protracted, undetected spread of the virus — suggesting that more cattle than currently reported, across the United States and even in neighbouring regions, could have been infected with avian influenza.
Access options
Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals
Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription
$32.99 / 30 days
cancel any time
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-01256-5
Bird flu in US cows: is the milk supply safe?
Preventing disease transmission between people and wildlife
Bird flu outbreak in US cows: why scientists are concerned
Bird-flu threat disrupts Antarctic penguin studies
