It has been several months since HPAI made the shift from birds to cows. As the government explores ways to safeguard the industry and its workers, scientists are examining infections under a microscope for feeder insights.
They have zeroed in on sialic acid, which is a sugar molecule found in some animal cells and can be a receptor for the flu virus. They examined the mammary glands of two cows infected with HPAI and discovered a significant presence of sialic acid, suggesting it facilitated virus attachment.
Researchers highlight milk machines as a potential source of virus transmission. They aim to further investigate how receptors function in various species and organs.
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