Bird flu strain in US cows shows minimal, but some air spread in ferret study

In the experiment led by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, ferrets infected with a sample of the H5N1 bird flu strain were placed near healthy animals, but not close enough for physical contact.

None of the four healthy ferrets exposed in this way became ill, and no virus was recovered from them during the study.

However, one of the ferrets had produced antibodies to the virus, the researchers later found, suggesting it had been infected.

"It is good news that the virus does not have extensive transmissibility between ferrets through the air, but it is concerning that it has the ability to transmit (at all in this way)," said study author and flu virologist Yoshihiro Kawaoka.

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