Thread by @ejustin46

𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘇𝗮 𝗛5𝗡1 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛1𝗡1 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 😨

H/t @DecrolyE @BrianRWasik
medrxiv.org/content/10.110…

2) Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was detected in US dairy cattle herds in 2024, spreading between states and infecting at least one worker. Assessments found unpasteurized milk from infected cows contained high levels of infectious H5N1 virus.

3) To understand virus exposure risks to dairy workers during milking, the persistence of H5N1 and surrogate H1N1 influenza viruses were examined in unpasteurized milk on surfaces found in milking equipment like rubber inflation liners and stainless steel.

4) Experiments demonstrated that both H5N1 and H1N1 remained infectious in milk on these surfaces for hours under conditions mimicking milking parlors. This virus persistence poses risks for worker exposure through contaminated surfaces and spread between cattle during milking.

5) Reducing transmission requires protective equipment for workers as well as disinfection or replacement of liners to limit virus spread between animals.

Thanks for reading 🙏