Oregon state and federal officials announced on Wednesday that H5N1 bird flu has been detected in a pig residing in Crook County — marking the first confirmed case of this swine infection amid the ongoing outbreak affecting various animal species.
This specific strain of the bird flu virus found in the infected pig is classified as D1, which differs genetically from the B3.13 strain that has been impacting dairy cows across California and other regions. Experts believe that the D1 strain likely originated from wild birds migrating through the Pacific flyway, emphasizing the interconnected nature of these viral outbreaks.
Both virus strains belong to the H5N1 category, but they have followed slightly divergent paths of evolution, a distinction evident in their genetic sequencing.
The detection of the flu virus in a pig raises significant alarms within the scientific community, especially with the onset of the human flu season.
“This is one major development that public health experts have long dreaded,” stated Rick Bright, a prominent virologist and former head of the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.
Health authorities regard swine as potentially effective mixing vessels for influenza viruses: they can host both avian and human flu, enabling the chance for these different viruses to merge genetic material and evolve into a more formidable threat to human health.
“Some experts have downplayed the urgency of the outbreak thus far, claiming, ‘but it’s not in pigs yet.’ Now, we find ourselves in a situation where it actually is, coinciding with the seasonal rise in human flu infections, which adds critical fuel to the potential for a pandemic,” Bright warned.
Bright stressed the urgency for federal authorities to act decisively and transparently.
“We cannot afford to keep playing a wait-and-see game,” he insisted. “We all understand how swiftly this virus can spread. Immediate measures must be implemented to eliminate it from farms, enhance surveillance, and fabricate a broader response strategy. … This is not the time for hesitation; we need action now.”
John Korslund, a retired veterinary epidemiologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provided a cautiously optimistic perspective.
According to officials, the infected pig was one of five pigs on a small, non-commercial farm that underwent testing and subsequent euthanasia. Testing revealed negative results for two of the other pigs, while results for the remaining pigs are still pending. Notably, federal authorities reported that only “low viral levels” were identified in the tested samples.
Korslund suggested that the observed low viral levels might suggest that the virus requires close contact for transmission, such as sharing a water source.
“My level of concern will rise significantly if the virus shows the potential for aerosol transmission within a confined space,” he noted, adding that a pig acting as a mixing vessel for pathogens is less likely to occur in smaller, backyards herds compared to larger commercial farms where flu cases are more prevalent.
The Oregon farm, situated just east of Bend, operates on a small scale and is not engaged in commercial food production, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
As a result, federal officials have assured there are no concerns regarding the safety of the nation’s pork supply, further emphasizing that thorough cooking and pasteurization procedures will inactivate the virus in food products.
The site of the infected pigs is also the location where 70 infected “backyard birds” were identified and euthanized last week after H5N1 was confirmed. The farm remains under quarantine, with state agricultural authorities actively monitoring the surrounding area.
Oregon officials clarified that although there were five pigs on the property, they did not cohabitate. Three of the pigs, including the one that tested positive, were allowed to roam freely, while the other two — described as “tea pot” pigs — were kept in separate accommodations.
Both tea pot pigs received preliminary tests for the virus, raising suspicions in at least one case. Consequently, the pigs were euthanized, and their remains were sent to the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, for further testing, with results still pending.
Ryan Scholz, state veterinarian from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, stated during a news conference on Wednesday that the separated pigs were likely exposed to the virus from infected chickens they shared living space with, rather than from each other.
The three roaming pigs were larger in size, although one was small enough to potentially squeeze under fences and interact with the tea pot pigs.
The farm also housed other animal species, including sheep and goats, but no signs of illness have been observed in those animals thus far.
No individuals associated with the farm have exhibited any symptoms of illness.
However, Dean Sidelinger, Oregon’s health officer and state epidemiologist, refrained from divulging the number of personnel on the farm or whether they had undergone testing.
Both officials reiterated that the general public risk remains minimal and that the food supply is secure.
In recent weeks, multiple outbreaks of H5N1 have been reported in both commercial and backyard flocks in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. California’s state veterinarian, Rebecca Jones, informed The Times on Tuesday about an infected backyard flock in Santa Rosa that also contracted the D1 strain.
Interestingly, that specific flock is not currently documented on the USDA’s official website.
Additionally, two commercial chicken farms in California’s Kings County, as well as a backyard flock in Tulare County, were reported as infected on Tuesday, although the exact strains of H5N1 within those birds remain unverified.
It is highly probable that these infections involve the new wild bird variant circulating among regional populations.
“Based on recent diagnostic findings, it’s clear that migratory waterfowl are spreading this new ‘D’ genotype along the Pacific flyway,” commented Bryan Richards, the emerging disease coordinator at the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center.
Scientists have expressed frustration over the lack of timely genetic sequencing information regarding these latest outbreaks, particularly as cases in poultry, cattle, and various animals continue to unfold.
On Wednesday, reports confirmed eight herds in Utah tested positive for H5N1, although sequencing details have yet to be compiled.
According to the USDA, since March, there have been 393 confirmed herds infected with H5N1 across 14 states, not including Oregon. Almost half of those cases — totaling 193 — are located in California.
Adding the recently confirmed Utah herds, which remain uncounted in the USDA records, brings the total to 401 herds across 15 states.
When asked about the potential complications arising from the emergence of a new strain of H5N1, Maurice Pitesky, an associate professor specializing in poultry health and food safety epidemiology at UC Davis, confirmed, “Yes, it definitely poses additional challenges.”
“This marks three years of viral migration, with the virus appearing to return as various bird species travel down from Arctic breeding grounds and exchange viral strains,” he stated. “If this continues, it considerably hampers our ability to control the spread.”
Pitesky mentioned that previously, he developed a computer model that could accurately predict the proximity of the virus’s appearance during bird migrations. While it worked effectively in the past, he now faces pressure to design another model.
“I can’t,” he conceded. “The situation has grown increasingly complex. The virus is now contaminating urban wastewater, wild mammals, dairy cows, songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and even marine mammals. … We have never encountered such an intricate situation before in terms of species diversity, geographic reach, and food security implications. It’s unprecedented.”
**Interview with Rick Bright: Virologist and Former Head of the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Bright. With the recent confirmation of H5N1 bird flu in a pig in Oregon, what are your primary concerns regarding this finding?
**Rick Bright**: Thank you for having me. This development is significant because it raises alarms within the scientific and public health communities. The detection of the D1 strain of H5N1 in a pig marks a concerning shift in the outbreak narrative, particularly as we enter the human flu season. Pigs act as potential mixing vessels for viruses, which means they can harbor both avian and human flu, increasing the risk of genetic reassortment and potentially dangerous new strains emerging.
**Editor**: Some experts have downplayed the risk so far, but with this case, how should we be responding?
**Rick Bright**: Yes, the attitude of “it’s not in pigs yet” is no longer valid. We are in a critical moment; this virus now has a foothold in swine. Public health experts and federal authorities must act decisively. We need immediate measures to eliminate it from farms and enhance surveillance. There is no time for hesitation; we need a proactive approach to manage this potential threat.
**Editor**: John Korslund, a retired veterinary epidemiologist, mentioned that only low viral levels were found in the pig and that close contact may be needed for transmission. Does this provide any reassurance?
**Rick Bright**: While the low viral levels can be seen as a somewhat reassuring sign, it’s important not to become complacent. Close contact does facilitate transmission, but the concern lies in the unknown; if the virus mutates or adapts, we could see an increase in transmissibility, especially in larger populations. We must remain vigilant and continuously assess the situation.
**Editor**: The Oregon officials indicated that there is little risk to the public and the safety of the pork supply is intact. What’s your take on that?
**Rick Bright**: At this moment, the assurances are warranted given the small scale of the farm and the control measures in place. However, public health communication needs to be transparent and ongoing. The situation can evolve quickly, and while current cooking and pasteurization processes do deactivate the virus in food, citizens should stay informed and cautious.
**Editor**: what would you urge federal authorities to prioritize in light of this situation?
**Rick Bright**: First and foremost, we need enhanced surveillance not just in swine, but across all animal populations that could be affected. Second, federal agencies must implement and communicate immediate containment strategies. And lastly, we need clear, consistent messaging to the public about their safety while ensuring that they understand the potential risks associated with such outbreaks. This is not just an animal health issue; it’s a public health concern that affects us all.
