Dutch experts finds bird flu antibodies in cow, no active H5N1 virus detected

The Netherlands has identified antibodies of the bird flu virus in a dairy cow, but the risk of the H5N1 avian influenza virus spreading from animals to humans is very small, according to the Dutch authorities.

The Dutch agriculture minister, in a detailed letter, informed the country’s parliament that the H5N1 virus was discovered in a dead cat that died last month.

Following this, authorities from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) examined samples of blood and milk from cattle at the farm on January 15.

They found that a cow had antibodies to the virus in its milk, indicating a previous infection with the virus in that cow. No samples tested positive for the virus itself, and the officials also reported no further spread.

It is the first reported case of the deadly avian influenza virus having spread to cattle outside of the US. Antibodies against avian influenza have not previously been demonstrated in dairy cattle in Europe.

“Avian influenza antibodies have been detected in a dairy cow at a dairy farm in the municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân, province of Friesland. No evidence of active viral circulation of avian influenza among the dairy cows on this farm has been found. There are also no signs of avian influenza spreading to other dairy farms,” stated the letter.

Science journal, in a news article, quoted the minister noting that the cow had mastitis -- painful inflammation of breast tissue --, and respiratory problems in December; and its milk was not processed.

As milk from the farm is pasteurised, inactivating any potential virus, it is unlikely that the disease has spread to humans.