Detection and Genomic Characterization of Novel Respiratory Viruses in US and Mexican Cattle Farms

Respiratory virus infections in cattle cause an estimated more than $1 billion in production losses and can threaten human health. During February 2024 to May 2025, we employed a One Health approach to surveil for respiratory viruses among cattle, farm workers, and environmental samples from 11 US and Mexican beef or dairy cattle farms. We studied nasal and ocular swabs from cattle, nasal swabs from cattle workers, bioaerosol samples, and other environmental farm samples using molecular and virological techniques. Among 26 distinct viruses identified in cattle, we detected bovine nidovirus 1, influenza D virus (D/OK-like and D/660-like), bovine coronavirus, bovine rhinitis A and B viruses, bovine respirovirus 3 and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV); 11 of the 26 detected viruses were non-bovine-associated. Two bovine rhinitis A virus was markedly divergent (provisionally designated BRAV-4). Environmental metagenomics additionally identified influenza D virus, bovine coronavirus, and bovine rhinitis B virus. One human nasal swab tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (cladeLF.7.3). Our findings reveal the presence of emerging, co-circulating, and environmentally linked pathogens at the human-animal-environment interface, underscoring the constant need for One Health surveillance to safeguard livestock and mitigate zoonotic risk.