Bird flu confirmed in rats for first time, USDA reports
Bird flu The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Bureau confirmed Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Bureau had detected rats for the first time.
In late January, four black rats had H5N1 avian flu in Riverside County, California, in California, the agency said.
Officials have previously confirmed the virus in mice found on the affected farm.
Agent Latest updates It also includes other infected mammals across the country, including the Massachusetts Port Seal, a fox in North Dakota, a bobcat in Washington and a domestic cat in Oregon. Officials say the cat’s infection may be related to recent reports of two recent pets from Mtnomah County who became ill after eating Raw pet food Contaminated by viruses.
The latest bird flu discovery is because the USDA is trying to Baked birds again influenza experts The agency was recently fired under a portion of cost cuts Ministry of Government Efficiency,or.
“Although several supporting positions (highly pathogenic avian flu) were informed of their termination over the weekend, we are working to quickly correct the situation and cancel these letters,” the USDA said in a statement to CBS News. ”
Several types of workers, including veterinarians and other emergency response personnel, have been exempted from job layoffs so they can continue to work on USDA efforts to deal with bird flu, the agency said. The agency said that “continue to prioritize responses to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
H5N1 strains from bird flu began to spread in the United States in 2022 148 million birds Has been euthanized on poultry farms to prevent other infections, which caused Egg prices are about to soar. The disease was first discovered in cows in March 2024, and was almost 70 years old Human cases It has been identified, mainly among dairy and poultry workers. So far, One person is a resident of Louisiana and died From the virus.
Contributed to this report.
