H5N1 influenza has now been detected in pigs. This was something virologists had been worrying about ever since this highly pathogenic strain of bird flu started its rapid global spread in 2020. But why were we worrying specifically about pigs? And does this case – detected on a farm in Oregon on October 29 – change anything?

Dead cows infected with bird flu must be separated from their herds, which the video showed, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) said in emailed responses. The cows must be stored on private property before being transported for “disposal” and should not be buried underground, the email said.

The UK government said on Tuesday it has confirmed a strain of the H5N5 bird flu virus in commercial poultry at a premises near Hornsea in Yorkshire. All poultry on the infected premises will be humanely culled and a three kilometer protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone has been put in place surrounding the premises,

The United States Department of Agriculture last week reported that a pig on a backyard farm in Oregon was infected with bird flu.