Bird Flu in Wisconsin: What You Need to Know

A new case of bird flu in Wisconsin has been confirmed, but it's not linked to the earlier outbreaks. The U. S. Department of Agriculture made this announcement on a Friday. This specific strain, called H5N1 clade 2. 3. 4. 4b genotype D1. 1, was identified through detailed genetic testing. Most bird flu cases in U. S. dairy herds have come from a single event in Texas last year. That outbreak involved a different strain, B3. 13. However, this new case in Wisconsin is separate. It was found through routine milk testing, and no other herds have been affected yet.The good news is that this virus doesn't pose a risk to people or the milk we drink. Pasteurization kills the virus, and milk from affected cows is either thrown away or destroyed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still consider the risk to the public to be very low. Farmers are being reminded to keep their animals safe and to report any sick animals or unusual wildlife deaths. Meanwhile, a group of senators has asked the government to finalize a plan for a bird flu vaccine for livestock. This situation shows how important it is to monitor and control the spread of diseases. It also highlights the need for better preparation and quick action to protect both animals and people.