For the first time in history, cows were infected with a deadly virus

To date, this virus has been reported in 48 species of mammals, including foxes, skunks, raccoons, seals and polar bears.

Bird flu (H5N1) has become a deadly threat to cows in the United States. Live Science writes about it.

Scientists collected samples of unpasteurized milk, and also took swabs from the throats and noses of cows on dairy farms. Unfortunately, the results of the analysis showed a positive result - this case became the second known case of infection of ruminants in the United States.

"Cows have been infected with bird flu on farms in Texas and Kansas - believed to be the first known case in the US and worldwide. Additionally, the virus has also reached farms in New Mexico, but scientists are still waiting for test results to say for sure. It all started three weeks ago, when the cows caught a cold. Farm workers noticed that the animals produced less milk, their appetites decreased, and they themselves looked lethargic. As a result, we collected milk samples, as well as smears from the throat and nose of animals. Later, the analysis confirmed that the cows on the farms are infected with the H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic influenza, this is evidenced by the data of the Texas Animal Health Commission, experts say.

Previous studies have already shown that the strain is highly contagious and spreads easily among animals: outbreaks of the disease have previously been reported among wild and domestic birds, as well as animals around the world.