ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO – A concerning development has emerged in New Mexico, where federal officials have confirmed that nearly a dozen house mice have tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus. This marks a significant addition to the growing list of mammals affected by avian influenza.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture disclosed the findings on Tuesday, revealing that 11 house mice in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, had been infected with the virus. While specific details about the cases were not immediately provided, this discovery represents the first instance of the bird flu being detected in common house mice in a real-world setting. Previously, mice had only been exposed to the virus in laboratory experiments.
The report comes shortly after a similar revelation involving alpacas in Idaho being infected with H5N1, as well as the recent identification of the virus in dairy cows for the first time. The number of outbreaks in dairy farms across the U.S. has now reached 81 in 9 states, indicating a growing concern within the agricultural sector.
The global spread of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, along with its transmission to an increasing number of mammals, has sparked fears regarding the potential for human-to-human transfer in the future. Despite a few confirmed human cases resulting from contact with infected birds or cattle, concerns remain high about the possibility of a mutated variant leading to widespread transmission among humans.
Recent cases involving three dairy farm workers in Michigan and Texas testing positive for H5N1 bird flu have raised alarms, although only one individual experienced severe respiratory symptoms. While more severe cases have been documented in other parts of the world, instances of human-to-human transmission have not been reported thus far.
In response to these developments, the U.S. government has allocated nearly $200 million in funding to combat the spread of H5N1 bird flu among dairy cows. This financial support aims to bolster efforts in testing, vaccine development, surveillance, and implementing safety measures to safeguard the commercial milk industry.