USDA detects second bird flu strain in dairy cows
NBCFEB 16
New Bird Flu Strain Found in Nevada Dairy Cows
Above: Cows graze in a field in Petaluma, Calif. Image copyright: Justin Sullivan/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This is an escalation of the US avian influenza outbreak and shows how easily another virus can surface after one is contained. This will potentially make it harder to control and eliminate the virus from dairy herds, which may be more susceptible to the virus than previously thought. It also increases the risks for farm workers.
Narrative B
The risk to the general public remains low, and current surveillance and testing strategies are working as intended. The National Milk Testing Strategy is successfully identifying new threats before they become widespread and the federal government and local officials will continue to work to contain the situation.