The H5N1 virus (clade 2.3.4.4b) emerged in 2020 and has spread across continents, affecting birds, marine mammals, and now cattle in the US.
This strain is highly pathogenic, causing large-scale mortality in seabirds and 100% fatality in infected ferrets (used as a model for studying transmission in mammals).
The virus infects mammary glands in cows, leading to high levels of virus in milk.
Studies in ferrets suggest lactating mothers infected with the H5N1 virus can transmit the virus to their offspring through milk, leading to 100% mortality in pups.
The ferret is a small, domesticated species belonging to the family Mustelidae.
The ferret is most likely a domesticated form of the wild European polecat, as evidenced by the ferret's ability to interbreed with European polecats and produce hybrid offspring
The name "ferret" is derived from the Latin furittus, meaning "little thief", a likely reference to the common ferret penchant for secreting away small items
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