World Organization for Animal Health warned that the virus, previously restricted to birds, has been identified in dairy herds
The World Organization for Animal Health () issued a warning this Tuesday (9.Jan.2025) about the spread of avian influenza, which “requires urgent global attention” by transcending its avian origins. The statement highlights the first human death recorded in the United States and the increasing contamination of domestic and wild mammals.
According to the OMSA, more than 30 species of mammals were infected by the disease by November 2024. The number demonstrates the virus’s ability to overcome barriers between species, posing a threat to wildlife, domestic animals and public health.
Data from the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) indicate that the incidence of infections in the Northern Hemisphere increases in October and peaks in February. The organization emphasizes that, despite the first human death recorded in the United States, the risk of transmission between people remains low. For individuals exposed to infected birds or a contaminated environment, the risk is considered low to moderate.
Transmission through milk
Studies have identified raw milk from infected cows as a high-risk material for transmitting the virus. The OMSA confirms evidence of horizontal transmission between infected lactating cows and other animals, including cats and birds.
The organization recommends that only milk produced by uninfected cows and properly pasteurized, or that has undergone a similar process of viral inactivation, be released for sale.
