USDA Reports Bird Flu Confirmed In Rats For the First Time

The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed that H5N1 avian influenza has been detected in rats for the first time. According to the report, four black rats had bird flu infections in January in California, where two recent poultry outbreaks were reported.

Officials have also previously confirmed the virus in mice found on affected farms.

The agency's latest update also included other infected mammals in locations around the country, including a harbour seal in Massachusetts, a fox in North Dakota, a bobcat in Washington state, and a domestic cat in Oregon. According to officials, the infection in the cat is likely related to eating raw pet food that was contaminated with the virus.

These latest bird flu discoveries come as the country struggles to stop the spread of the highly pathogenic virus that has spread across most poultry farms and even in some humans since last year. According to the data, since the H5N1 strain of the bird flu began spreading in the US, about 148 million birds on poultry farms have been culled to prevent infections, which has also led to a massive rise in the prices of eggs.

In March last year, the illness was found in dairy cows for the first time, while almost 70 human cases have also been identified, mostly in dairy and poultry workers.

As of now, one persoa resident of Louisiana—has died from the virus.

Bird flu is an infection from a type of influenza virus that usually spreads in birds and other animals. Sometimes, humans get bird flu from infected animals. According to experts, like the versions of the flu that people usually get, bird flu can make you severely ill.

You might hear about bird flu when there’s an outbreak affecting large numbers of birds or other animals. This is concerning because it increases the risk of human infection, can affect wildlife, and can reduce the food supply.

A few signs and symptoms of bird flu include:

• Pink eye or conjunctivitis
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Muscle aches
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Breathlessness

According to doctors, all of these symptoms can be mild or severe. Most recent cases of bird flu in the US have caused pink eye and mild respiratory symptoms.

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