Bird Flu Jumped to Cows, so Scientists Made a Vaccine
Fort Collins, Colorado, USA: Researchers developed the first mRNA vaccine for cattle against H5N1 bird flu, after the virus spilled over to U.S. dairy herds in 2024. The shot showed promise in early tests, preventing infected cows from shedding the virus. Officials fear the mutation could jump to humans, causing another pandemic threat. While scaling up vaccination in large herds is complex, experts hail the breakthrough as a “One Health” milestone bridging veterinary and human medicine.
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Key Entities
- • H5N1 Avian Influenza: Historically infects poultry; a recent strain spilled over to cattle herds, raising pandemic concerns.
- • mRNA Vaccine (for Cattle): Uses the same genetic technology popularized by COVID-19 vaccines, now adapted for livestock.
- • USDA & CDC: Overseeing outbreak response; they support fast-tracking the new vaccine.
- • Dairy & Beef Farms: Potentially face production disruptions if infection spreads, plus added costs for vaccination.
- • One Health Initiative: A collaborative effort uniting veterinary, medical, and environmental disciplines to tackle zoonotic risks.
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