USDA Announcement of Data Release Proves False
Washington, D.C. - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the release of new data on the avian influenza outbreak in livestock on April 21, but scientists have been unable to locate any such information.
Genetic Sequences Still Unavailable
As of April 23, scientists had yet to find any genetic sequences from the avian influenza virus in livestock in the United States, despite the USDA's claim that they had been released. The only information available is raw data, which is of limited use, CNN reported.
Concerns over Government Response
Scientists have criticized the slow pace of the U.S. government in releasing information about the outbreak, which was first confirmed in livestock a month ago. Dr. Rick Bright, an immunologist and vaccine researcher, contacted influenza researchers, including the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID), to inquire about any missing data.
GISAID Confirms Absence of Sequences
Lucas Freitas, a data scientist at GISAID, confirmed that no sequences have been uploaded by the USDA. "We would not miss it. H5 is the reason GISAID exists," said GISAID chairman Peter Bogner.
Global Collaboration Essential
GISAID, a Germany-based non-profit, serves as a trusted repository for genetic data worldwide. Scientists rely on it to share and track information about viruses, such as the evolving COVID-19 virus.
Outbreak Spread Raises Alarm
When the USDA confirmed that H5N1 had been detected in cattle in Texas and Kansas on March 25, it alarmed infectious disease experts who wanted to learn more about how the virus had adapted to a new host. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported that H5N1 has now been found in 32 livestock flocks in eight states. However, several weeks have passed, and little data on the U.S. outbreak has been shared with the global scientific community.
USDA's Data Release Questioned
The USDA maintains that it regularly publishes research on GISAID. In a statement on April 21, the agency said it had shared 239 genetic sequences from the H5N1 outbreak, including from cattle, cats, chickens, skunks, raccoons, various bird species, and geese.
Raw Data Uploaded
However, scientists have only been able to find raw data, known as FASTQ files, on H5N1 genetic sequences uploaded by the USDA to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's database.
Data Deficiency Raises Concerns
These files are considered less informative, as they lack critical details needed by scientists to track the evolution of the virus. For example, the specific date of sample collection is missing, as is the location where the sample was collected, which is simply listed as "USA." The data also does not specify which part of the animal the sample was taken from.
USDA Response
A USDA public affairs official said that APHIS typically shares genetic data on GISAID. However, to make the data available as soon as possible, the agency uploaded the unanalyzed data to the National Library of Medicine instead. It is unclear whether the latest upload contains the full genetic sequences that the USDA announced.
Scientists Monitoring Situation
Scientists are closely monitoring the ongoing avian influenza virus that has begun to spread to livestock. One case of human infection with H5N1 from livestock was reported in the United States in early April.