Infections with the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus have resulted in the death of millions of domestic birds and thousands of wild birds in the U.S. since January, 2022.
It is a well-established fact that all influenza A viruses, including H5N1, exhibit exceptional stability in wet environments, including open water sources.
There remains no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b. No human deaths or hospitalizations have been reported from the currently circulating strain of H5N1. Per a Nature Magazine News Brief: A dairy worker in Texas was infected and recovered.
The presence of the mutation in the human sample was not surprising; it has appeared many times, including in foxes and cats infected with H5N1. Cattle can be infected with the currently circulating strain of H5N1. There is no evidence that the strain of H5N1 currently circulating in North American birds is highly pathogenic or lethal in either cattle, humans or other mammals.
When infected with H5N1, cattle develop mild, transitory symptoms, which include decreased milk production.
Milk pasteurization destroys the infectivity of H5N1 and other influenza viruses.
Recent findings indicate that the cells lining the milk-producing glands and ducts of cattle can produce large amounts of H5N1 when a lactating cow is infected.
Therefore the risk of further evolution of H5N1 to a more human-infectious and pathogenic form consequent to cattle infection remains unchanged from prior decades.
Not surprisingly, H5N1 persists as an infectious virus for a functionally relevant time on solid surfaces, including the rubber and stainless steel surfaces associated with modern milking machines-particularly in moist or high-humidity environments.
Claims that milking machines are spreading H5N1 in cattle are speculative and should be considered unproven hypotheses at this time.
Studies specifically designed to detect aerosol transmission between cows have not found any evidence of airborne transmission of H5N1 in cattle.
With the current array of numerous safety measures, infectious H5N1 virus in milk is unlikely to enter the food supply.
The US Government is also sponsoring two H5N1 vaccine candidates based on already approved H5N1 influenza vaccine products, and is testing them with GSK Plc, Sanofi SA and CSL Seqirus.
Threat Assessment The "High pathogenicity" H5N1 Avian Influenza currently circulating in North America does not represent a significant current health threat to either cows or humans relative to other widespread health threats, infectious disease-based or otherwise.
There are two US-licensed H5N1 vaccines based on established, licensed influenza vaccine technology.
It is a judgment call whether the hundreds of millions of dollars being spent on developing, testing, and stockpiling the H5N1 vaccine is a worthwhile public health investment relative to alternative investments of these funds to address other public health threats.
I do not see a significant present threat or danger to human health from H5N1 at this point, and the USG/HHS already has two H5N1 vaccines in the stockpile.
In my opinion, the current data indicate that the ongoing fear-mongering by corporate media, academics, politicians, and government employees concerning H5N1 is grossly irresponsible and constitutes yet another example of Psychological Bioterrorism.
Anyone promoting or participating in Psychological Bioterrorism regarding H5N1, including marketing unlicensed supplements or kits claiming to prevent or mitigate H5N1 infection and disease in humans, and their host institutional affiliations should be suspected of having some conflict of interest.
From birds to mammals: spillover of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus to dairy cattle led to efficient intra- and interspecies transmission.
Influenza H5N1 and H1N1 viruses remain infectious in unpasteurized milk on milking machinery surfaces.
Characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in retail dairy products in the US. Pasteurization temperatures effectively inactivate influenza A viruses in milk.
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