CDC finds H5 bird flu antibodies in 3 vets working with cattle
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports on recent avian influenza A (H5N1) infections in three veterinarians who work with cattle. A serosurvey was conducted among 150 U.S. bovine veterinary practitioners to investigate the prevalence of recent HPAI A(H5) infection.
Three (2%) practitioners had antibodies to HPAI A(H5), suggesting recent infection, despite none reporting respiratory symptoms or conjunctivitis. The findings suggest potential HPAI A(H5) virus-infected dairy cattle in states without identified infections, highlighting the need for rapid identification through testing. One practitioner with HPAI A(H5) antibodies only practiced in Georgia and South Carolina, states without known infections, suggesting possible undetected cases. The study provides further evidence that the United States is not adequately detecting cases in cows and people.
