#BirdFlu

A recent United States outbreak has shown, for the first time, that the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus can move into dairy cattle and spread between cows. Originating from a wildlife spillover in Texas in 2023, the virus circulated across multiple states for months before detection. The finding raises global concerns about pandemic potential and prompts Thailand to consider its biosecurity and dairy operations in light of evolving risks.

In a startling development that has rung alarm bells across the global public health community, scientists have confirmed for the first time that the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus, better known as bird flu, has not only crossed into U.S. dairy cattle, but is now capable of cow-to-cow transmission. This unprecedented leap, tracked to a single wildlife spillover event in Texas in 2023, has rapidly escalated into a multi-state outbreak, deepening fears over the virus’s pandemic potential. The implications of this discovery stretch far beyond the borders of the United States, raising difficult questions for countries like Thailand, where livestock and poultry farming are vital to the economy and public health infrastructure is acutely attuned to zoonotic threats.

Recent shifts in pet care have seen more households embrace raw diets for their cats and dogs. In Thailand, pet owners are re-evaluating feeding practices as new information links raw pet foods to health risks, including potential connections to the H5N1 bird flu. This prompts a practical rethinking of safe feeding for Thai families and their furry companions.

Raw pet food has long sparked debate due to uncooked meats that can carry harmful germs. A reported case connected a batch of raw turkey food to an H5N1 exposure, culminating in a cat’s death after ingestion. Genetic testing identified the product as the likely source of the virus, with similar incidents reported elsewhere where felines became ill after consuming various raw diets. Thai veterinarians emphasize that these cases illustrate broader safety concerns around raw feeding.