Dairy cattle at feedingResearchers at Iowa State University have discovered a possible explanation for why the bird flu virus is showing up in raw milk. They found that bovine mammary gland tissues hold receptors for the bird flu virus.

Todd Bell, a professor of veterinary pathology at ISU, reported that ever since two ISU alums identified an illness in Texas cattle this spring as bird flu, teams at the university have been working in partnership with other organizations to tackle the virus. When the virus was discovered in raw milk, researchers decided to look at the mammary glands as a potential entry point.

This research will help inform regulators in making decisions on testing and biosecurity measures to stop the spread of the virus. If the virus is found in the mammary tissue, how can it be prevented from getting to the mammary tissue in the first place?

Read more on the ISU research on bird flu in dairy cattle here.