H5N1 bird flu detected in pig in US for first time

Pigs represent a particular concern for the spread of bird flu because they can become co-infected with bird and human viruses.

In Short

• H5N1 bird flu was confirmed in Oregon
• First detection of virus in swine in country
• Pigs can host bird, human viruses

H5N1 bird flu was confirmed in a pig on a backyard farm in Oregon, the first detection of the virus in swine in the country, the US Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday.

Pigs represent a particular concern for the spread of bird flu because they can become co-infected with bird and human viruses, which could swap genes to form a new, more dangerous virus that can more easily infect humans.