UNAIR NEWS “ A new variant of the Avian Influenza (AI) virus, commonly known as Bird Flu, has emerged in mammals. In the United States, the AI virus has been spreading among poultry and dairy cows since early 2024, though the specific strain was only successfully identified in March 2024.
There are five symptoms observed in dairy cows infected with the bird flu virus: reduced appetite, nasal discharge, sticky or watery feces, dehydration and fever, and changes in milk quality. Milk produced by infected cows becomes thick and dense, with a yellowish color resembling colostrum.
Cats infected with the bird flu virus also exhibit five major symptoms: loss of appetite, fever or lethargy, mucus discharge from the eyes, difficulty breathing, and neurological issues such as impaired motor coordination, tremors, seizures, and blindness.
According to Prof. Dr. Suwarno, drh., M.Si., a Virology Expert from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FKH) at 51¶¯Âþ (UNAIR), the greatest danger lies in the milk produced by infected animals. Raw, unpasteurized milk can facilitate transmission to other species, including cats, tigers, lions, dogs, domestic poultry, and various wildlife.
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Beware of Bird Flu Variants Found in Dairy Cows and Cats
