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A novel strain of the H5N1 bird flu virus, termed genotype D1.1, has been identified in dairy herds in Nevada, alarming health officials and virologists. This strain is linked to severe cases of illness, including one fatality in Louisiana and a hospitalization in Canada, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Rick Bright, a prominent immunologist, cautioned that the D1.1 variant’s ability to replicate efficiently in mammals raises the stakes for potential human infections.
Current reports indicate six affected herds in Churchill County are under quarantine. J.J. Goicoechea, Nevada's agriculture director, emphasized the urgent need for enhanced biosecurity measures to curb the virus's spread. While the CDC maintains the risk to the general public remains low, they caution that individuals in close contact with infected animals are at a higher risk of transmission. Experts are advocating for increased monitoring of the variant and exploring vaccination for dairy workers to mitigate potential outbreaks, as stated by University of Pennsylvania virologist Scott Hensley.