H5N1 bird flu virus discovered in pigs

Oregon state and federal officials are investigating positive H5N1 bird flu cases at a farm after the virus was detected in a pig in the U.S. for the first time. USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories detected the virus in a pig at the farm on Tuesday and poultry last week, according to a press release...

Oct 30, 2024 - 22:00
H5N1 bird flu virus discovered in pigs

Oregon state and federal officials are investigating positive H5N1 bird flu cases at a farm after the virus was detected in a pig in the U.S. for the first time.

USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories detected the virus in a pig at the farm on Tuesday and poultry last week, according to a press release by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Wednesday.

The pigs did not have any signs of being infected, though they were tested due to the virus being present in other animals on the farm, the release noted.

The pigs were euthanized for analysis, though test results showed that two of the five tested negative, and the results of two others are still pending, the release read.

According to the release, the farm's livestock and poultry shared water sources, housing and equipment, which has previously allowed the virus to spread between species in other states.

There is no concern about the nation's pork supply, the release said. The animals were not intended for the commercial food supply, and the farm has been quarantined.