H5N1 Bird Flu Found in a Pig for the First Time in the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Wednesday that H5N1 bird flu has been found in a pig on a backyard farm in Oregon. This marks the first recorded instance of the virus in swine in the United States.
TroibNews 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed on Wednesday that H5N1 bird flu has been detected in a pig on a backyard farm in Oregon, marking the first known instance of the virus in swine in the United States.
While officials stressed that the risk to the pork supply and public health remains low, the discovery has raised alarm among experts due to the potential for pigs to harbor mixed infections that could enable viral gene exchange, creating a more dangerous strain that might be transmissible to humans.
Richard Webby, a virologist at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and advisor to the World Health Organization, remarked that the detection of the virus on a small backyard farm is less alarming than if it had occurred on a larger commercial farm. However, he warned that if the virus starts to spread among pigs, it could lead to more significant concerns.
Currently, the Oregon farm is under quarantine, and all poultry and swine on the property have been culled to limit potential spread. Additional tests are being conducted on two remaining pigs, as reported by the USDA. Other animals on the farm, including sheep and goats, are being monitored closely as a precaution.
Experts indicated that the farm's arrangement, where pigs and poultry shared resources such as water, shelter, and equipment, likely contributed to the transmission of H5N1, which is a pattern seen in other cases of animal-to-animal transfer.
Marie Culhane, a professor at the University of Minnesota, emphasized that this detection serves as a warning for pig farmers to remain vigilant for further infections. She noted the importance of preparedness, as pigs are particularly susceptible to flu viruses.
In response to the USDA's confirmation of the H5N1 case, lean hog futures experienced a decline at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Although the USDA clarified that the pigs in Oregon were not designated for commercial food production, the detection has still influenced market sentiment.
The H5N1 virus has posed a continuous global threat, with 36 human cases reported this year, mainly among farm workers exposed to infected animals. Since the outbreak began in 2022, over 100 million poultry birds have been culled across the United States.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
While officials stressed that the risk to the pork supply and public health remains low, the discovery has raised alarm among experts due to the potential for pigs to harbor mixed infections that could enable viral gene exchange, creating a more dangerous strain that might be transmissible to humans.
Richard Webby, a virologist at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and advisor to the World Health Organization, remarked that the detection of the virus on a small backyard farm is less alarming than if it had occurred on a larger commercial farm. However, he warned that if the virus starts to spread among pigs, it could lead to more significant concerns.
Currently, the Oregon farm is under quarantine, and all poultry and swine on the property have been culled to limit potential spread. Additional tests are being conducted on two remaining pigs, as reported by the USDA. Other animals on the farm, including sheep and goats, are being monitored closely as a precaution.
Experts indicated that the farm's arrangement, where pigs and poultry shared resources such as water, shelter, and equipment, likely contributed to the transmission of H5N1, which is a pattern seen in other cases of animal-to-animal transfer.
Marie Culhane, a professor at the University of Minnesota, emphasized that this detection serves as a warning for pig farmers to remain vigilant for further infections. She noted the importance of preparedness, as pigs are particularly susceptible to flu viruses.
In response to the USDA's confirmation of the H5N1 case, lean hog futures experienced a decline at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Although the USDA clarified that the pigs in Oregon were not designated for commercial food production, the detection has still influenced market sentiment.
The H5N1 virus has posed a continuous global threat, with 36 human cases reported this year, mainly among farm workers exposed to infected animals. Since the outbreak began in 2022, over 100 million poultry birds have been culled across the United States.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
