The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed on Wednesday that the H5N1 bird flu has been detected in a pig on a backyard farm in Oregon, marking the first known case of the virus in swine in the United States.
Officials emphasized that the risk to the country's pork supply and public health remains minimal. However, experts are keeping a close eye on the situation due to the potential for pigs to host mixed infections, which could lead to the creation of more dangerous strains transmissible to humans.
Richard Webby, a virologist at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and advisor to the World Health Organization, mentioned that the detection on a small backyard farm is less alarming than if it had occurred on a larger commercial farm. Nevertheless, he cautioned that any spread between pigs could raise more serious concerns.
The affected Oregon farm is currently under quarantine. All poultry and swine on the premises have been culled to prevent potential spread, and additional testing on two remaining pigs is ongoing, according to the USDA. Other animals, including sheep and goats, are under close surveillance as a precaution.
Experts noted that the farm's setup, where pigs and poultry shared resources like water, shelter, and equipment, likely facilitated the transmission of H5N1—a pattern observed in other animal-to-animal transmissions.
Marie Culhane, a professor at the University of Minnesota, highlighted that this detection serves as a warning for pig farmers to stay vigilant for further infections, stressing the need for preparedness as pigs are particularly prone to flu viruses.
Meanwhile, lean hog futures saw a downturn at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange following the USDA's confirmation of the H5N1 case. Although the USDA clarified that the Oregon pigs were not intended for commercial food production, the detection has still impacted market sentiment.
The H5N1 virus continues to be a global threat, with 36 human cases identified this year, primarily among farm workers exposed to infected animals. Since the outbreak began in 2022, it has led to the culling of over 100 million poultry birds across the U.S.
