Blowflies are carriers of the virus
The name blowfly describes the insects' preference for odorous organic substances. The compact body of these flies is usually metallic blue or green to shiny golden green.
According to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports,2 scientists examined blowflies in a colony of wild cranes in Izumi City. Of the 648 blowflies, 14 were carriers of the virus.
“While 14 blowflies may seem like a small number, it equates to a blowfly prevalence of 2.2 percent, which is a huge percentage compared to other insect-borne diseases.
During the winter, during the peak of the bird flu season, thousands of cranes migrate to the Izumi area, where dense populations make them particularly susceptible to infection. In the winter of 2022-23, 1,600 cranes from a colony of 10,000 birds died from bird flu. Scientists set up fly traps in various locations around Izumi. Genetic testing confirmed that the trapped flies were carrying the same strain of the virus that infected the crane colony, according to the report.
From birds to cows
Scientists suspect that the flies may contaminate surfaces, food sources, and water as they move from place to place. Healthy birds may then become infected through direct contact with these contaminated sources or by ingesting adult blowflies or their larvae.
Since 2020, bird flu has spread rapidly around the world, killing millions of wild birds and culling more than half a billion farm birds. In several U.S. states, bird flu has jumped from birds to dairy cows, marking the beginning of mammal-to-mammal transmission. The virus has spread not only among cows but has also been detected in other animals, including cats and raccoons.
Flies ingest the virus from feces or dead birds or
To date, 11 human cases of avian influenza have been reported in the U.S., with the first occurring in April 2022. All cases were mild, with four linked to cattle operations and seven linked to poultry farms, including a recent cluster of four cases in Colorado. Avian influenza has caused significant damage to wildlife and the poultry industry, and poses a high risk to people working with farm animals. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how the virus spreads and how it is transmitted to control and prevent outbreaks, Japanese researchers said.
Unlike birds and mammals, which the virus infects and breeds in, flies ingest the virus from infected dead birds or their droppings. The virus remains infectious for up to two days, according to the study. The flies can fly at least 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) a day, so scientists estimate that it is possible for them to reach nearby poultry farms or wild bird populations within a radius of 4 kilometers (2.5 miles).
