Recent research has uncovered that cows can serve as hosts for both human and bird flus simultaneously. This discovery raises concerns about the potential for these viruses to combine and create a new strain of influenza, possibly leading to a widespread outbreak.
It is believed that a wild bird virus may have infected a dairy cow in Texas, sparking the current H5N1 bird flu outbreak in cattle. Despite previous assumptions that cattle were immune to influenza A, recent cases have shown that they are susceptible to certain strains, including human seasonal flu and avian flu.
In a study conducted by Kristensen and her team at the University of Copenhagen, it was revealed that cows possess receptors that allow bird flu viruses to enter their cells. These receptors, particularly the duck variant, are most prevalent in the mammary glands, with lower levels in the respiratory tract and minimal presence in the brain. This pattern aligns with the observed symptoms in infected cows, which primarily impact milk production without causing severe illness.
2024-05-14 08:15:00
Originally posted on www.sciencenews.org