H5N1 bird flu identified in pig for first time in United States

First U.S. Pig Infection: H5N1 bird flu has been identified in a pig in Oregon, marking the first known case in the United States.

Farm Quarantine and Testing: The USDA has quarantined the affected backyard farm, where livestock and poultry shared resources, raising transmission risks. Testing on other pigs is ongoing.

Human Infection Concerns: Pigs, which carry lung receptors similar to humans, can act as “mixing bowls” for viruses, potentially aiding virus mutation and increasing risks of human infection.

Potential Spillover: Experts like Dr. Scott Weese believe this case is likely a dead-end spillover from infected birds rather than an indication of sustained transmission among pigs.

High Resistance in Pigs: Previous studies suggest pigs have high resistance to H5N1, with few instances of infection, indicating the virus may not easily spread within pig populations.