Close Menu
  • Featured
    • News
    • Consumption
    • Environment
    • Industry
    • Opinion
    • Policy
    • Production
    • Storage
    • Transmission
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Trending
Illustration of China's massive laser fusion laboratory in Mianyang, generated by artificial intelligence.
“They’re Building the World’s Biggest Fusion Laser”: U.S. Satellite Reveals China’s Secret Race Toward Unlimited Energy Domination
Illustration of the U.S. military's groundbreaking wireless energy transmission experiment, created by artificial intelligence.
“They Just Beamed Power Through the Air Like Sci-Fi”: U.S. Military Destroys Wireless Energy Transmission Record With Shocking Test
Illustration of China's colossal nuclear fusion center under construction, surpassing the size of the U.S.'s National Ignition Facility, created by artificial intelligence.
“It’s Bigger Than Anything We Imagined”: China’s Secret Nuclear Fusion Facility Spotted From Space Sparks Global Alarm
Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
Energy Reporters
Facebook X (Twitter) RSS
Subscribe
  • Featured
  • News
    Illustration of China's massive laser fusion laboratory in Mianyang, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They’re Building the World’s Biggest Fusion Laser”: U.S. Satellite Reveals China’s Secret Race Toward Unlimited Energy Domination

    July 19, 2025 at 10:10 AM
    Illustration of China's colossal nuclear fusion center under construction, surpassing the size of the U.S.'s National Ignition Facility, created by artificial intelligence.

    “It’s Bigger Than Anything We Imagined”: China’s Secret Nuclear Fusion Facility Spotted From Space Sparks Global Alarm

    July 19, 2025 at 8:12 AM
    Illustration of nuclear-powered spacecraft propelled by solar sails in space, generated by artificial intelligence.

    Blasting Into Space With Nukes and Light: This Radical Propulsion Concept Could Redefine Deep Space Travel Faster Than Anything Before

    July 18, 2025 at 3:54 PM
    Illustration of Nexus, an advanced AI-powered supercomputer developed by Georgia Tech.

    “We Gave AI $20 Million to Rethink Science”: Nexus Super-System Set to Turbocharge US Innovation Like Never Before

    July 18, 2025 at 9:06 AM
    Illustration of Apple's collaboration with MP Materials to enhance rare earth material supply chains, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “We’re Cutting China Out”: Apple Strikes $500M Deal to Break Free from Chinese Rare Earths and Reinvent Its Global Supply Chain

    July 18, 2025 at 8:14 AM
  • Use
    Illustration of the contrasting lifespans of gas and electric vehicles in the evolving automotive industry, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “These Numbers Will Shock Every Driver”: Landmark Study Reveals Gas Cars Last 12 Years While Electric Vehicles Average Just 3, Sending Shockwaves Through the Industryers”: Disturbing Study Reveals Gas Cars Last 12 Years, Electric Only 3

    July 12, 2025 at 10:06 AM

    Trump’s Energy Policy: A Complicated Road Ahead

    December 24, 2024 at 3:28 PM

    World’s First Grid-Scale Nuclear Fusion Plant to Be Built in Virginia

    December 23, 2024 at 2:57 PM

    How West Africa can expand power supply and meet climate goals

    June 15, 2020 at 6:33 AM

    Saudi Aramco shares tumble amid price war 

    March 10, 2020 at 1:18 AM
  • Climate
    Illustration of the world's largest high-altitude wind farm in Tibet, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They Built It on the Roof of the World”: World’s Highest-Altitude Wind Farm Just Launched in Tibet With Record-Breaking Power

    July 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
    Illustration of space-based reflectors redirecting solar light to Earth during nighttime, generated by artificial intelligence.

    Space Mirrors Are Coming: This Bold Solar Energy Project Aims to Beam Sunlight From Orbit Straight Into Photovoltaic Farms

    July 18, 2025 at 5:12 PM
    Illustration of the wake effect impacting offshore wind turbines, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They’re Losing Wind—and Millions”: The Devastating Wake Effect Threatening Offshore Wind Farms and the Race to Stop It

    July 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM
    Illustration of a cooling ceiling system using chilled water tubes to regulate indoor temperatures, generated by artificial intelligence.

    No More AC, No More Fans: This Revolutionary Home Cooling Method Is Taking Over and Saving Households a Fortune in Energy

    July 18, 2025 at 6:00 AM
    Illustration of natural hydrogen exploration in Siberia, generated by artificial intelligence.

    A Hidden Ocean of Hydrogen Found in Siberia Could Fuel the Planet for Generations and Disrupt the Entire Fossil Fuel Economy

    July 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
  • Industry
    Illustration of the partnership between Westinghouse and Google Cloud using AI to advance nuclear construction, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They’re Letting AI Build Nuclear Reactors”: Google and Westinghouse Unleash Machine-Driven Power That Could Reshape the Planet

    July 19, 2025 at 6:08 AM
    Illustration of a groundbreaking hybrid alloy for quantum chips, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “We Engineered the Impossible”: German Scientists Create World’s First Hybrid Alloy to Power the Next Generation of Quantum Chips

    July 18, 2025 at 7:02 AM
    Illustration of the Lamborghini Temerario GT3, a high-performance race car designed for GT3 racing, showcasing its advanced engineering and aerodynamic features; this is an artificial illustration.

    “They Turned a Supercar Into a Missile”: Lamborghini’s New Temerario GT3 Unleashes Brutal Power and Racing Precision for 2026 Debut

    July 15, 2025 at 10:08 AM
    Illustration of the Zeekr 9X hybrid crossover showcasing its innovative design and advanced technology, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They Laughed at Chinese Cars—Not Anymore”: New Hybrid EV Hits 621-Mile Range and 0–60 in 3.1 Seconds

    July 15, 2025 at 9:04 AM
    Illustration of the advanced 3D printing system developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and JuggerBot 3D to integrate thermoset and thermoplastic materials, created by artificial intelligence.

    “They Just Cracked the Code for Supersonic Manufacturing”: U.S. Lab Unveils Dual-Material 3D Printing to Reinvent Flight and Power

    July 15, 2025 at 6:54 AM
  • Opinion

    Pulling back the curtain on Turkey’s natural gas strategy

    September 1, 2020 at 5:59 AM

    How West Africa can expand power supply and meet climate goals

    June 15, 2020 at 6:33 AM

    Review: Oil and the Great Powers: Britain and Germany, 1914 to 1945

    June 9, 2020 at 5:40 AM

    Eastern Mediterranean gas: testing the field

    May 27, 2020 at 5:18 AM

    Energy geopolitics will hinge on the nationalism-globalism swinging door

    May 5, 2020 at 1:37 AM
  • Policy

    Trump’s Global Influence Wanes Amid Rising Foreign Policy Setbacks

    May 31, 2025 at 5:48 PM

    Glaciers in Crisis: Nearly 40% of Global Ice Mass is Already Lost

    May 24, 2025 at 4:52 PM

    iPhone Prices May Triple if Made in the U.S., Analyst Warns

    May 23, 2025 at 5:30 PM

    Labubu Craze: The Cute, Creepy Plush Toy Taking Over the World

    May 17, 2025 at 8:40 AM

    RFK Jr’s Vaccine Views Clash with Measles Outbreak Reality

    April 12, 2025 at 10:49 AM
  • Output
    Illustration of China producing its first barrel of natural uranium from the 'National No 1 Uranium' project in Inner Mongolia, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “Unleashing a Uranium Giant”: China Triumphantly Extracts First 55-Gallon Barrel from This Massive Natural Uranium Project, Sparking Global Ripples

    July 15, 2025 at 8:02 AM
    Illustration of the world’s first integrated hydrogen production simulator within a Small Modular Reactor control room, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “The Future Is Here, and It’s Terrifying”: World’s First Hydrogen-Generating Nuclear Reactor Launches in the US, Sparking Global Energy Revolution

    July 9, 2025 at 7:01 AM

    Billionaire Backlash Grows Against Trump’s Aggressive Tariff Plans

    May 10, 2025 at 5:50 PM

    McDonald’s Sees Worst Sales Since 2020 Amid Uncertainty

    May 1, 2025 at 8:23 AM

    Europe’s Economic Rebound Stalls as U.S. Tariffs Cast a Shadow

    April 30, 2025 at 5:34 PM
  • Storage
    Illustration of a revolutionary lithium metal battery equipped with a built-in flame suppressant, highlighting its enhanced safety and efficiency, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “It Puts Out Its Own Fires”: Breakthrough Lithium Battery Unleashed With Built-In Safety System That Could End Explosive Failures Forever

    July 19, 2025 at 6:57 AM
    Illustration of Finland's largest sand battery for renewable energy storage, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They’re Storing Energy in Sand!”: Finland Unveils World’s Largest Sand Battery in a Bold Move to Revolutionize Clean Power Storage

    July 16, 2025 at 4:59 PM
    Illustration of researchers at the University of Alberta developing advanced water-based batteries.

    “They Replaced Lithium with Water!”: Scientists Unveil Battery Breakthrough That’s Safer, Cheaper, and Ready to Transform Energy Storage

    July 16, 2025 at 5:48 AM
    Illustration of a predictive model accurately forecasting lithium metal anode failures in battery technology, created by artificial intelligence.

    China Unveils Groundbreaking Lithium Battery Tech That Flags Deadly Failures Seconds Before the Battery Fully Activates

    July 14, 2025 at 7:50 AM
    Illustration of the internal chemistry of battery materials affecting energy flow, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “These Hidden Hot Spots Hold the Key”: Scientists Uncover Secret Zones to Build Ultra-Durable EV Batteries, Triggering a Breakthrough in Car Longevity

    July 12, 2025 at 8:10 AM
  • Grid
    Illustration of the U.S. military's groundbreaking wireless energy transmission experiment, created by artificial intelligence.

    “They Just Beamed Power Through the Air Like Sci-Fi”: U.S. Military Destroys Wireless Energy Transmission Record With Shocking Test

    July 19, 2025 at 8:52 AM
    Illustration of DARPA's wireless power transmission experiment, beaming energy over 5.3 miles.

    “They Just Beamed Power Over 5 Miles to Make Popcorn”: DARPA’s Wireless Energy Breakthrough Redefines What’s Technically Possible

    July 17, 2025 at 4:54 PM
    Illustration of a revolutionary laser amplifier technology designed to increase data transmission speeds, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They Just Unlocked Super Lasers!”: Breakthrough Amplifier Could Make the Internet 10× Faster and Launch a New Era of Light-Speed Data

    July 16, 2025 at 7:10 AM
    Illustration of a TGV train equipped with satellite internet technology, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “Elon Musk Promises to End France’s TGV Wi-Fi Nightmare”: Starlink Solution Set to Transform Train Travel With Blazing Internet Speeds

    July 10, 2025 at 8:53 AM

    Australian grid struggles with renewables boom: report

    February 24, 2020 at 5:32 AM
Energy Reporters

Nevada Bird Flu Strain Shows Signs of Mammal Adaptation

Rosemary PotterRosemary PotterFebruary 7, 2025 at 1:35 AM0
Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Email Copy Link
Follow Us
Google News
HPAI H5N1 virus - 3d rendered image of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Abstract background. Disease X new pandemic pathogen virus - Virus, pathogen, bacteria, biotechnology, bacterium, biolaboratory, new X disease, brain illness concept. Microscopic SEM (TEM) hologram view. Medical research technology.
Share
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Copy Link

 

A recent outbreak of avian influenza in Nevada dairy cattle has raised concerns among scientists, as genetic analysis reveals a mutation that may allow the virus to replicate more effectively in mammals, including humans. According to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this genetic change was found in a subtype of the H5N1 virus, known as D1.1, which has been linked to severe human infections in North America.

Growing Concerns Over Transmission

The outbreak gained attention when a dairy farm worker in Nevada tested positive for H5N1, marking the first recorded human infection in the state. The individual developed conjunctivitis, or inflamed eyes, a known symptom of bird flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working to confirm the test results. While the overall risk to the public remains low, farmworkers and individuals with close contact with infected animals face a higher likelihood of exposure.

Unlike most previous bird flu cases in U.S. cattle, which were caused by the B3.13 variant, the infections in Nevada stem from the D1.1 strain. Scientists are still investigating how the virus spread to the cows. Many farmers in the affected region reported mass die-offs of wild birds before their herds became infected, suggesting the virus may have been transmitted through direct contact with infected birds or their droppings.

Genetic Changes Raise Red Flags

Genetic sequencing has revealed that the D1.1 strain contains a mutation that enhances its ability to replicate in mammals. This mutation has not been detected in previous bird or poultry infections, raising concerns that another animal species, such as a fox or a cat, may have served as an intermediary host.

“This mutation allows the virus to replicate more efficiently, posing a potential risk to humans exposed to infected cows,” said Dr. Seema Lakdawala, a microbiologist at Emory University studying the spread of H5N1 in dairy herds.

Origins of the D1.1 Strain

Viruses evolve through two primary mechanisms: antigenic drift and antigenic shift. Drift involves small, gradual changes that may enhance the virus’s survival, while shift results in a major genetic reassortment, often leading to the emergence of entirely new viral strains.

D1.1 originated from a shift event, making it a hybrid virus. It contains genetic material from a highly pathogenic H5N1 strain brought to North America by migratory birds from Asia and a low-pathogenic flu virus already present in local bird populations. This variant was first detected in wild birds in September 2024 and has since become the dominant H5N1 lineage in North America.

Human Infections and Fatalities

The D1.1 variant has been linked to two severe human infections in North America. In November, a 13-year-old girl in British Columbia, Canada, became critically ill after contracting the virus and suffered multiple organ failure. She survived after weeks of intensive care, but health officials were unable to determine how she was exposed.

In December, a person over 65 in Louisiana contracted the D1.1 strain after exposure to infected birds and later died, marking the first recorded H5N1-related fatality in the United States. Genetic sequencing of the virus from the Louisiana patient showed further adaptations that may have enhanced its ability to infect human cells.

Ongoing Research and Future Risks

Scientists are actively investigating why the D1.1 strain appears to cause more severe infections than the B3.13 variant. One theory suggests that people may have some immunity to B3.13 due to prior exposure to similar flu strains, whereas D1.1’s unique genetic makeup allows it to evade immune defenses more effectively.

Dr. Louise Moncla, a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, noted that the “N” segment of D1.1 differs significantly from that of B3.13, which could influence how the virus interacts with human immune systems.

Although no widespread human transmission has been reported, the increasing number of cases in cattle and occasional human infections highlight the need for continued monitoring and research. Health officials emphasize that farmworkers and those in close contact with livestock should take extra precautions to prevent potential exposure.

Conclusion

As the D1.1 strain of H5N1 continues to spread in dairy cattle, concerns grow over its potential impact on public health. While the risk to the general population remains low, experts are closely tracking its evolution to assess whether it could pose a greater threat in the future. The discovery of genetic mutations that enhance replication in mammals underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and preparedness for emerging infectious diseases.

Did you like it? 4.5/5 (21)

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Follow on Google News Follow on X (Twitter)
Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Email Copy Link
Previous ArticleAmazon Workers in North Carolina Face Crucial Union Vote
Next Article West Texas Measles Outbreak Surges to 48 Cases
Rosemary Potter
  • X (Twitter)

Rosemary Potter is a Berlin-based journalist for Energy Reporters, covering European energy markets, cross-border policy, industry innovation, and the challenges of energy transition. A graduate of Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, she combines investigative depth with a continental outlook. Her reporting amplifies the perspectives shaping Europe’s energy future across sectors, borders, and technologies. Contact: [email protected]

Keep Reading
Illustration of the world's largest high-altitude wind farm in Tibet, generated by artificial intelligence.

“They Built It on the Roof of the World”: World’s Highest-Altitude Wind Farm Just Launched in Tibet With Record-Breaking Power

Illustration of space-based reflectors redirecting solar light to Earth during nighttime, generated by artificial intelligence.

Space Mirrors Are Coming: This Bold Solar Energy Project Aims to Beam Sunlight From Orbit Straight Into Photovoltaic Farms

Illustration of the wake effect impacting offshore wind turbines, generated by artificial intelligence.

“They’re Losing Wind—and Millions”: The Devastating Wake Effect Threatening Offshore Wind Farms and the Race to Stop It

Add A Comment
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Trending
Illustration of China's massive laser fusion laboratory in Mianyang, generated by artificial intelligence.
“They’re Building the World’s Biggest Fusion Laser”: U.S. Satellite Reveals China’s Secret Race Toward Unlimited Energy Domination
Illustration of the U.S. military's groundbreaking wireless energy transmission experiment, created by artificial intelligence.
“They Just Beamed Power Through the Air Like Sci-Fi”: U.S. Military Destroys Wireless Energy Transmission Record With Shocking Test
Illustration of China's colossal nuclear fusion center under construction, surpassing the size of the U.S.'s National Ignition Facility, created by artificial intelligence.
“It’s Bigger Than Anything We Imagined”: China’s Secret Nuclear Fusion Facility Spotted From Space Sparks Global Alarm
News by category
  • Featured
  • News
  • Use
  • Climate
  • Industry
  • Opinion
  • Policy
  • Output
  • Storage
  • Grid
Information
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Meet the Team
  • Contact Us
  • Legal Notice
  • Privacy Policy

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Facebook X (Twitter) RSS
© Energy-Reporters.com. All rights reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.