• The U.S. Department of Agriculture is studying pigs, cows and other animals at Iowa’s National Animal Disease Center in an attempt to stop the burgeoning bird flu outbreak.
• Scientists were surprised to suddenly discover infections in the udders and milk of dairy cows this year, as the influenza virus is typically considered a respiratory disease.
• Bird flu was first identified in 1959. Since then, it has been detected in a growing number of animals ranging from dogs and cats to sea lions and polar bears, and now dairy cows.

At first glance, it looks like an unassuming farm. Cows are scattered across fenced-in fields. A milking barn sits in the distance with a tractor parked alongside. But the people who work there are not farmers, and other buildings look more like what you’d find at a modern university than in a cow pasture.

Welcome to the National Animal Disease Center, a government research facility in Iowa where 43 scientists work with pigs, cows and other animals, pushing to solve the bird flu outbreak currently spreading through U.S. animals — and develop ways to stop it.

Particularly important is the testing of a cow vaccine designed to stop the continued spread of the virus — thereby, hopefully, reducing the risk that it will someday become a widespread disease in people.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture facility opened in 1961 in Ames, a college town about 45 minutes north of Des Moines. The center is located on a pastoral, 523-acre site a couple of miles east of Ames’ low-slung downtown.

It’s a quiet place with a rich history. Through the years, researchers there developed vaccines against various diseases that endanger pigs and cattle, including hog cholera and brucellosis. And work there during the H1N1 flu pandemic in 2009 — known at the time as “swine flu” — proved the virus was confined to the respiratory tract of pigs and that pork was safe to eat.

The center has the unusual resources and experience to do that kind of work, said Richard Webby, a prominent flu researcher at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.

“That’s not a capacity that many places in the U.S. have,” said Webby, who has been collaborating with the Ames facility on the cow vaccine work.

The campus has 93 buildings, including a high-containment laboratory building whose exterior is reminiscent of a modern megachurch but inside features a series of compartmentalized corridors and rooms, some containing infected animals. That’s where scientists work with more dangerous germs, including the H5N1 bird flu. There’s also a building with three floors of offices that houses animal disease researchers as well as a testing center that is a “for animals” version of the CDC labs in Atlanta that identify rare (and sometimes scary) new human infections.

About 660 people work at the campus — roughly a third of them assigned to the animal disease center, which has a $38 million annual budget. They were already busy with a wide range of projects but grew even busier this year after the H5N1 bird flu unexpectedly jumped into U.S. dairy cows.

“It’s just amazing how people just dig down and make it work,” said Mark Ackermann, the center’s director.

The virus was first identified in 1959 and grew into a widespread and highly lethal menace to migratory birds and domesticated poultry. Meanwhile, the virus evolved, and in the past few years has been detected in a growing number of animals ranging from dogs and cats to sea lions and polar bears.

Despite the spread in different animals, scientists were still surprised this year when infections were suddenly detected in cows — specifically, in the udders and milk of dairy cows. It’s not unusual for bacteria to cause udder infections, but a flu virus?

“Typically we think of influenza as being a respiratory disease,” said Kaitlyn Sarlo Davila, a researcher at the Ames facility.

Much of the research on the disease has been conducted at a USDA poultry research center in Athens, Georgia, but the appearance of the virus in cows pulled the Ames center into the mix.

Amy Baker, a researcher who has won awards for her research on flu in pigs, is now testing a vaccine for cows. Preliminary results are expected soon, she said.

USDA spokesperson Shilo Weir called the work promising but early in development. There is not yet an approved bird flu vaccine being used at U.S. poultry farms, and Weir said that while poultry vaccines are being pursued, any such strategy would be challenging and would not be guaranteed to eliminate the virus.

Baker and other researchers also have been working on studies in which they try to see how the virus spreads between cows. That work is going on in the high-containment building, where scientists and animal caretakers don specialized respirators and other protective equipment.

The research exposed four yearling heifers to a virus-carrying mist and then squirted the virus into the teats and udders of two lactating cows. The first four cows got infected but had few symptoms. The second two got sicker — suffering diminished appetite, a drop in milk production and producing thick, yellowish milk.

The conclusion that the virus mainly spread through exposure to milk containing high levels of the virus — which could then spread through shared milking equipment or other means — was consistent with what health investigators understood to be going on. But it was important to do the work because it has sometimes been difficult to get complete information from dairy farms, Webby said.

“At best we had some good hunches about how the virus was circulating, but we didn’t really know,” he added.

USDA scientists are doing additional work, checking the blood of calves that drank raw milk for signs of infection.

A study conducted by the Iowa center and several universities concluded that the virus was likely circulating for months before it was officially reported in Texas in March.

The study also noted a new and rare combination of genes in the bird flu virus that spilled over into the cows, and researchers are sorting out whether that enabled it to spread to cows, or among cows, said Tavis Anderson, who helped lead the work.

Either way, the researchers in Ames expect to be busy for years.

“Do they (cows) have their own unique influenzas? Can it go from a cow back into wild birds? Can it go from a cow into a human? Cow into a pig?” Anderson added. “Understanding those dynamics, I think, is the outstanding research question — or one of them.”

Moringa is one of many plants that have been said to come with potential health benefits when consumed. 

Moringa is sold in an assortment of forms, including a stand-alone powder, oils, pill capsules and as one ingredient of many green protein powders. 

Moringa has been around for many years, especially in South Asia as well as Africa, but its popularity in the U.S. has blossomed recently. 

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When incorporating any new supplement into your diet, it’s important to be mindful of aspects like the brand the product is from, always ensuring it is trustworthy and reputable, while also looking into all the ingredients in a specific product. 

“Be careful of the quality,” Isabel Smith, a New York-based registered dietitian and founder of Isabel Smith Nutrition and Lifestyle, told Fox News Digital in a phone call.

“You could run into heavy metals, you could run into bad products,” Smith added. “So you just want to be a conscious consumer as always, and make sure that you are purchasing a product from a company that you trust and love.”

One way to ensure that a product is safe to use is by checking to see if it has been third-party tested. 

“That’s something I always stress, is that you want to look for products that are third-party tested, because then you will know that the ingredient in that product is safe, it’s pure and it has everything in it that it says it has in it,” Jerlyn Jones, an Atlanta-based registered dietitian and owner of The Lifestyle Dietitian LLC, told Fox News Digital, adding that it’s also important to make sure what you’re buying is 100% organic. 

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Unlike matcha, which has also been associated with numerous health benefits and has grown in popularity in recent years, moringa is caffeine-free.

Below are some of the health benefits that are believed to come from moringa.

One way moringa can be added to your diet is by mixing powder into your healthy fruit and vegetable smoothies.  (iStock)

1. Anti-inflammatory benefits
2. Immune system support
3. Anti-aging properties
4. Improved cholesterol and blood sugar levels

1. Anti-inflammatory benefits

One of the biggest health benefits of moringa is that it can be used as a means to fight against inflammation. 

Inflammation is the body’s response to illness or infection, according to Harvard Health. 

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There are many different diseases, including cancer and heart disease, that have been linked to chronic inflammation. 

Foods and supplements with anti-inflammatory properties can help lower the risk of these diseases and others.  

Moringa can be found in a protein powder mixed with a variety of other vitamins and minerals. (iStock)

“It’s got quercetin, which is a natural antihistamine, but also has some anti-inflammatory properties,” Smith said. 

Moringa also has “beta-carotene, which we know is really good for skin health and holds a lot of anti-inflammatory antioxidant capacities. So it seems to be like an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich plant,” Smith told Fox News Digital. 

Even though you could see this health benefit from moringa, it’s vital to remember that one dietary change or added supplement isn’t going to make drastic differences, and living an overall healthy lifestyle that works with your body is what matters most. 

“I don’t think any one thing can make the difference for somebody. I think all the bits and pieces and all the things we do in concert can all make a difference,” said Smith. 

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2. Immune system support

A balanced diet can help provide the body with nutrients to keep it healthy and strong, but sometimes, the nutrients found in food aren’t enough. 

That’s one area where supplements come into play. Sometimes, the body doesn’t get enough of certain nutrients. Supplements can help bring your nutrient intake up. 

Make sure your body is getting all the vitamins and nutrients that it needs to keep your immune system strong and avoid falling ill.  (iStock)

Moringa is packed with different nutrients that can help your immune system’s strength and aid your body in fighting against potential illness. 

“It’s packed with vitamin C and A and vitamin E, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus. A lot of these nutrients are nutrients that we are very low in,” Jones explained. 

3. Anti-aging properties

If you want younger-looking skin, moringa could help you achieve your goal. 

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“We’re all really concerned about how we’re aging, and those compounds within moringa can help with our skin care and also anti-aging, because it has the anti-inflammatory, and so it’s promising in that way,” said Jones. 

Moringa is sold through many means, including pills, powder, oils and even in skincare products like body butter and serum, leaving consumers with many potential options for adding the supplement to their lives. 

Moringa’s anti-aging properties could lead to healthier, younger-looking skin. (iStock)

Supplements like moringa and the slew of others that have been suggested by experts in part for their anti-aging properties should of course be combined with proper diet and adequate exercise for optimal results. 

4. Improved cholesterol and blood sugar levels

High cholesterol can pose danger to the body.  

There are many lifestyle changes you can make in order to improve cholesterol, like avoiding smoking and foods that are high in saturated and trans fat. 

Jones told Fox News Digital that moringa has been shown to improve cholesterol levels in the body, due to the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants it contains that support overall heart health. 

In addition to improved cholesterol, moringa is also believed to help balance blood sugar levels, which, in turn, can help manage diabetes, according to Jones. 

Of course, before adding moringa to your diet for any of its possible nutritional benefits, be sure to consult your doctor first. 

“Check in with your health care team, your medical team, to make sure that it doesn’t interfere with any other medications that you’re taking,” Jones explained. “Always check in with your doctor whenever you’re deciding to take a supplement.” 

Four Massachusetts towns — Douglas, Oxford, Sutton and Webster — have enacted a voluntary evening lockdown in an attempt to curb the spread of a potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease.

The decision comes after the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed the first human case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) since 2020 in Worcester County. 

On Wednesday, the Oxford Board of Health voted to support the recommendation for people to remain indoors after 6:00 p.m., effective immediately, through Sept. 30, according to a public health advisory shared with Fox News Digital.

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Starting on Oct. 1, the recommendation is to remain indoors after 5:00 p.m. until the first hard frost.

The period from dusk through dawn is considered “peak mosquito hours,” the notice stated.

The advisory designates the four communities as “critical-risk.”

“It is the Board of Health’s responsibility to protect the public health, and we take EEE very seriously, and we are strongly encouraging residents to follow these recommendations due to the severity of EEE and the fact that it is in our community,” a spokesperson for the town of Oxford said in an email to Fox News Digital. 

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“So far this year in Massachusetts, there has only been one human case of EEE, but throughout the state, mosquitoes have tested positive for EEE.”

The infected person, who lives in Oxford, remains “hospitalized and courageously battling this virus,” according to a Wednesday memo from the Oxford town manager that was provided to Fox News Digital.

The lockdowns are considered recommendations, and there will be no enforcement if residents do not comply, the town spokesperson said.

Eastern equine encephalitis is caused by a virus that is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, according to the CDC, which describes it as a “rare but serious disease.” (Reuters/CDC/James Gathany)

“We want to educate our residents about EEE and the seriousness of the illness and make them aware of the risk,” the statement continued.

“However, if they want to use town fields outside these recommendations, they will have to show proof of insurance and sign an indemnification form.”

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Oxford is working with the other three critical-risk communities, with all four issuing these same recommendations, the spokesperson confirmed.

“Schools are working to reschedule and adjust their sports schedules so practices and games occur before these evening times and on weekends,” the email noted.

Fox News Digital reached out to Oxford Public Schools for comment.

What is Eastern equine encephalitis?

Eastern equine encephalitis is caused by a virus that is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which describes EEE as a “rare but serious disease.”

“Eastern equine encephalitis can cause brain infection (encephalitis), which can be fatal.”

Only a few cases are reported in the U.S. each year, most in the Eastern or Gulf Coast states, the agency states on its website.

Humans and other animals that contract the virus are considered “dead-end hosts,” the CDC states, which means they can’t spread it to mosquitoes that bite them.

Older people and immunocompromised persons are at the highest risk for mosquito-borne encephalitis, an expert said. (iStock)

Common symptoms of EEE include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, seizures, behavioral changes and drowsiness.

These usually appear five to 10 days after being bitten.

The disease can be deadly, resulting in fatalities for 30% of infected people. It can also lead to chronic neurological deficiencies, per the CDC.

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“Eastern equine encephalitis can cause brain infection (encephalitis), which can be fatal,” Edward Liu, MD, chief of infectious diseases at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, told Fox News Digital.

Older people and those who are immunocompromised are at the highest risk for mosquito-borne encephalitis, according to Liu. 

Prevention of mosquito bites is the most effective means of protecting against the disease, experts say. (iStock)

Dr. John Ayers, vice chief of innovation in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health at the University of California, San Diego, confirmed to Fox News Digital that EEE is “serious but extraordinarily rare.”

“Without any overt prevention measures, cases remain substantially rarer than being struck by lightning,” he said.

Prevention and treatment

The fact that local mosquitoes have the virus and one Massachusetts patient has become infected is “concerning,” Liu said.

“While evening lockdowns could be protective, other options would be educating the public of the risk, encouraging mosquito repellent usage, and spraying to prevent the prevalence of mosquitoes,” he advised.

Ayers added, “I don’t think there is anything you can do to meaningfully lower your individual chances of illness, because they’re already so low.”

“These viral encephalitides have no treatment, so prevention and supportive care is the only course of action.”

He agrees that typical strategies to deal with mosquito vector diseases are to kill the mosquitoes, reduce areas with standing water where they can nest and spray to kill their larvae.

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“These viral encephalitides have no treatment, so prevention and supportive care is the only course of action,” Liu noted.

There is currently no vaccine for Eastern equine encephalitis. 

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Prevention of mosquito bites is the best way to prevent infection, the CDC confirmed.

Fox News Digital reached out to the CDC for additional comment.