1. FFAR, DMI & Zoetis Call for Research Proposals to Study Connection Between Dairy Cow Health, Economics & the Environment
FFAR News Release
May 7, 2025
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) and Zoetis are launching the Dairy Health, Efficiency & Resource Dynamics (Dairy HERD) Initiative. The goal for this $1.3 million research collaboration is to advance research in animal health, ensure the economic viability of the U.S. dairy industry and improve environmental outcomes. FFAR is currently accepting research proposals requesting between $500,000 and $1 million per project for projects lasting up to two years. The required matching funds for this opportunity have been secured, but additional matching funds are encouraged.
The Dairy HERD Initiative recognizes that animal health and welfare are top priorities for producers and consumers. The initiative advances research on the positive impacts of disease prevention and herd management on economic and environmental outcomes. These outcomes will help support the U.S. dairy industry's collective 2050 environmental stewardship goals, which include reducing emissions, optimizing water use and recycling and improving water quality. The initiative will help ensure that results are available to farmers and other stakeholders by incorporating them into existing models and decision support tools, enabling farmers to increase efficiency and profitability on their farms.
The U.S. dairy industry has made significant strides in meeting its stewardship goals. Thanks to improved farming practices, producing a gallon of milk in 2017 required 30% less water, 21% less land and had a 19% smaller carbon footprint than in 2007. Dairy farmers already prioritize cow health and welfare. The Dairy HERD Initiative seeks research proposals to help quantify the benefits of these stewardship efforts and provides farmers with the tools to do so.
2. Study Highlights Airborne Transmission of H5N1 in Ferrets, Raising Pandemic Concerns
By Sophia Abene
ContagionLive.com
May 7, 2025
A recent study of the highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus isolated from a dairy farm worker in Michigan has revealed concerning findings about its transmission capabilities. The virus, A/Michigan/90/2024 (MI90), was shown to transmit via airborne particles in a controlled ferret model and cause moderate disease, suggesting a possible shift in the virus's capacity to infect humans and spread in mammalian populations. These results, published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, underscore the growing concerns about the virus's potential to cause a future pandemic.1
The Michigan dairy farm worker, who was diagnosed with conjunctivitis following exposure to infected animals, is part of a larger multistate outbreak of H5N1 that has been impacting US dairy cattle since 2024.1 As of May 6, 2025, the CDC has reported 70 confirmed and probable human cases of H5N1 in the U.S. since 2024, with 41 of those linked to dairy cattle and 24 to poultry operations. Also, there was a first US death associated with H5N1 occurred in Louisiana. Despite these human infections, no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission exists.2
In a controlled study, ferrets were inoculated with the MI90 virus to evaluate its ability to transmit through direct contact and respiratory droplets. All 18 infected ferrets survived the 21-day trial, although moderate illness was observed. Symptoms included a mean weight loss of 9.8 percent, transient fever (1.8°C above baseline), lethargy, and respiratory and ocular symptoms between days 4 and 9 post-infection. The highest virus titers were detected in the ethmoid turbinates (7.4 log10 PFU/mL), with limited brain and gastrointestinal tract detection.
3. Cutting-Edge mRNA Vaccine Shows Promise Against H5N1 in Dairy Cattle
Experimental mRNA-LNP vaccine elicits robust immune response in calves, offering new hope for containing the U.S. HPAI outbreak.
By Global Biodefense Staff
Global Biodefense.com
May 8, 2025
The recent spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b into U.S. dairy cattle herds has raised alarms among public health experts, veterinarians, and global health authorities. In a new preprint study, researchers from institutions funded by the National Institutes of Health, USDA, and U.S. Department of Energy have demonstrated that an experimental mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP) vaccine targeting the H5 HA protein induces strong immune responses in Holstein calves.
This study provides timely and potentially transformative insights into a potential intervention strategy. The vaccine, adapted from the same platform used in human COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, may help reduce viral spread among cattle and limit the risk of zoonotic transmission.
A Spreading Threat in U.S. Livestock
First identified in U.S. dairy cattle in March 2024, the H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus has since been confirmed in over 950 herds across 16 states. While human cases linked to this strain have mostly been mild, a recent fatality underscores the growing concern about mammalian adaptation and the potential for human-to-human transmission.
Detection of the virus in milk and mucosal secretions highlights not only the risk to animal health and food systems but also the potential exposure pathways for humans, especially farm workers and veterinarians.
Vaccine Induces Broad Antibody Responses in Calves
Two intramuscular doses (50 µg and 500 µg) of the H5 mRNA-LNP vaccine triggered strong antibody responses against both the vaccine strain (A/Astrakhan/3212/2020) and the cattle-derived H5N1 virus. Calves receiving the 500 µg dose exhibited significantly higher antibody titers. Antibodies showed hemagglutination inhibition and virus-neutralizing activity against multiple 2.3.4.4b H5N1 strains, including a representative wild bird isolate.
4. USask research team's discovery breaks new ground in swine disease management
By Jim Eadie
Swineweb.com
May 7, 2025
A University of Saskatchewan (USask) research team has discovered a bacteria-killing molecule that enhances a pig's immune system response and could transform how swine producers treat and prevent contagious diseases in their animals.
USask researchers recently published a paper in Scientific Reports that identified a promising alternative for controlling infectious diseases such as swine dysentery. Porcine ß-defensin 5, or pBD-5, is a host defence peptide (HDP) that may help to reduce the industry's reliance on antibiotics.
Also known as antimicrobial peptides, HDPs are naturally occurring, innate immune molecules found in all complex living organisms. The antimicrobial properties of HDPs allow them to play a vital role in combating pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
"As researchers, we have an important role and responsibility in advancing animal welfare. I'm very excited to work on this novel project knowing that the disease responses of pigs can be enhanced through exploring the properties of this new molecule," said Dr. Arthur Nery Finatto (DVM), a PhD student based at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) and the research paper's lead author. His supervisor is Dr. Matheus Costa (DVM, PhD), a WCVM associate professor and a board-certified veterinary practitioner in swine health management.
5. Two Strangles Cases Confirmed in Maryland; Two Michigan Horses Test Positive for Strangles
Two Strangles Cases Confirmed in Maryland
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
May 7, 2025
Two horses in Maryland-one in Carroll County and one in Cecil County-recently tested positive for strangles. In addition to the two confirmed cases, 20 horses in Carroll County and 50 horses in Cecil County are potentially exposed.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1136621/2-strangles-cases-confirmed-in-maryland/
Two Michigan Horses Test Positive for Strangles
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
May 7, 2025
On May 5, two horses in St. Clair County, Michigan-a 5-year-old Paint gelding and a 5-year-old warmblood gelding-tested positive for strangles. Both horses developed clinical signs on April 24, including fever and nasal discharge. They are under quarantine.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1136619/2-michigan-horses-test-positive-for-strangles-6/