A New Roadmap for Understanding H5N1

Four years after the current H5N1 strain arrived in the United States, scientists say there are still major unanswered questions about how the virus spreads through wildlife and livestock populations. A newly published monograph from the University of Maryland aims to help provide some answers.

Researchers say the publication brings together current science on highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, while identifying areas where more research is needed. The monograph highlights knowledge gaps surrounding migratory birds, disease transmission, and long-term management strategies.

The timing is notable for California agriculture. While HPAI is commonly known as bird flu, the current H5N1 strain has also become a concern for the dairy industry, making a better understanding of transmission pathways increasingly important.

Jennifer Mullinax, associate professor in environmental science and technology, says managing the disease requires turning “complex ecological information into actionable guidance.”

A link to the full monograph is available at https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wmon.70015