An insightful article, Epidemiological and clinical aspects of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in dairy cattle is available online.
This recent article within JDS Communications was developed by researchers in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University.
Some of the key highlights include:
· The apparent cumulative incidence of HPAI H5N1 virus in dairy cattle has been increasing.
· There is an association between shedding load and clinical signs.
· Virus shed in milk is the most likely source of exposure.
· Practices that reduce exposure to milk from infected cows appear to be effective.
· The control strategy has focused on reducing contact rate and transmission.
The article is part of a special issue – a package of articles that focuses on HPAI H5N1 – published by JDS Communications (Volume 5, Supplement 1, October 2024, Pages S8-S12).
The articles “clearly show the importance of collaboration and information transfer during epidemics,” notes Jessica A. A. McArt, DVM, PhD, DABVP (Dairy Practice) and Editor in Chief at JDS Communications.
McArt is an associate professor of ambulatory and production medicine, in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Additional articles in the special issue include:
H5 influenza: A virus that takes, then takes some more
Hot topic: Avian influenza subtype H5N1 in US dairy—A preliminary dairy foods perspective
Hot topic: Influenza A H5N1 virus exhibits a broad host range, including dairy cows
Craig McConnel, DVM, provided the links and references to the special issue by JDS Communications in his online editorial, From the Editor, October 2024
Dr. McConnel is an associate professor and director of Continuing Veterinary Medical Education, Veterinary Medicine Extension, at Washington State University.
