One Health and H5N1: Promega’s Commitment to Holistic Solutions

The global outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) underscores the critical importance of proactive and integrated health strategies. With its zoonotic potential, the H5N1 virus affects diverse animal populations and poses significant risks to human health, ecosystems, and economies worldwide. At Promega, we are dedicated to equipping researchers and public health professionals with the tools they need to navigate and address these complex challenges.

Understanding H5N1 and Its Impact

A Global Challenge

The H5N1 outbreak has led to the depopulation of over 300 million birds across 108 countries, spanning five continents. The virus has infected over 500 bird species and at least 70 mammalian species, including endangered California condors and polar bears (1). The virus has had significant economic repercussions, particularly in the poultry industry, with 168 million birds culled in the United States to date (2). Recent human infections, primarily among farm workers, highlight the need for continued vigilance and robust surveillance systems.

The One Health initiative takes a holistic approach to managing disease outbreaks such as bird flu.
Continue reading “One Health and H5N1: Promega’s Commitment to Holistic Solutions”

Avian Influenza H5N1: From Poultry to Cattle, How Livestock is at Risk with Current US Outbreak

Updated June 24, 2024

In January 2022, the state of South Carolina reported a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a wild bird—the first detected case of this virus subtype in the United States since 2016, likely introduced from Canada late in 2021. Since then, the virus has spread across the U.S., affecting both coasts with multiple separate introductions. As of 2024, this outbreak continues to cause significant issues, and has even reached dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, South Dakota, Idaho, North Carolina, and Ohio.

Continue reading “Avian Influenza H5N1: From Poultry to Cattle, How Livestock is at Risk with Current US Outbreak”

H7N9 Influenza Virus: A Perfect Pathogen?

Artist’s rendition of a virus particle.

It’s late October and here in Wisconsin, like many of you, we are experiencing a change of seasons, with the associated drop in temperatures, changes in leaf color and later this week, Halloween.

Another thing that comes with fall is the start of cold and flu season. By “flu”, I mean influenza, caused by avian influenza viruses of the H-N type. Recent research results by teams at UWI-Madison and in Japan, makes the coming influenza season potentially more scary than usual.

In a recent Cell Host & Microbe paper, M. Imai et al. study a seemingly more virulent version of H7N9 avian influenza virus that is startling in its ability to spread from infected to healthy animal models. Based on a current epidemic of H7N9, human-to-human transmission with this strain is increasing.

Continue reading “H7N9 Influenza Virus: A Perfect Pathogen?”