(WXYZ) — Over 85 million poultry in 48 states have been affected by theH5N1 avian flu virus. And now, after a dairy worker tested positive for the bird flu in Texas, people are understandably concerned about its potential spread.
The risk is relatively low at the moment. Currently, there's no evidence of the avian flu spreading from person to person, and only two cases have been reported in the U.S. so far. The first case dates back to 2022 and the second involves a Texas dairy farm worker.
But how did someone working with cows get the bird flu? Isn’t the bird flu just for birds? Well, infections are caused by avian influenza Type A viruses.
In this particular outbreak, the strain being transmitted is H5N1. While these viruses naturally spread among birds, some can also infect other animals. However, this is the first time the virus has been confirmed in cows and is also the first known instance of cow-to-human transmission of bird flu.
The good news is that samples from infected animals suggest that this virus has not undergone significant changes. Genetic sequencing of the virus from the Texas dairy worker did find a change in a gene called PB2. While this does suggest that the virus is a bit better at multiplying in mammals, it doesn't mean it's become more transmissible between people.
Vaccines for H5N1 flu do exist. But they are not being produced in large quantities, so they’re unavailable for widespread distribution.
As for treatment, there are several antiviral drugs approved for treating influenza. Some of these medications can also be prescribed for post-exposure prophylaxis — that just means people who’ve been exposed but haven't gotten sick can take them.
When it comes to milk and poultry, it's safe to drink pasteurized milk as the process eliminates germs like the flu. I recommend avoiding raw milk or anything made from it. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, it’s safe to eat poultry including eggs. Just please cook these foods to a safe internal temperature as this kills bacteria and viruses.
For most Americans, getting infected with bird flu would be rare. However, if you work with birds and animals, it's best to take precautions. Infection can happen if you breathe the virus in or it enters your eyes, nose or mouth. So try to avoid touching surfaces where there might be bird droppings, wash hands often and avoid direct contact with wild birds.
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For most Americans, getting infected with bird flu would be rare. However, if you work with birds and animals, it's best to take precautions. Infection can happen if you breathe the virus in or it enters your eyes, nose or mouth.
Since bird flu isn't spreading among humans, most people don't need to worry about precautions, Dr. Roberts says. But people who are exposed to cows or poultry, especially in states where bird flu has been identified, should consider them, he says.
Bird flu infections in humans can range in severity, experts note. Some people have no symptoms at all or only a mild flu-like illness, while others develop severe disease requiring hospitalization, according to the CDC. “It can be a serious infection with a high mortality rate,” said Schaffner.
The bird flu outbreak due to avian influenza A (H5N1) has spread to dairy cattle and one farm worker in the U.S., as of April 2024. Because influenza viruses can change easily, experts are concerned about H5N1's ability to spread.
Avian influenza A virus infections in people happen most often after close, prolonged and unprotected (no gloves or other protective wear) contact with infected birds or other animals.
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a type A influenza virus. It is lethal to poultry and is potentially fatal in humans. Bird flu spreads between both wild and domesticated birds. It has also been passed from birds to humans who are in close contact with poultry or other birds.
Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes after contact with birds or surfaces and materials that may be contaminated with saliva, mucous, or feces from wild or domestic birds. Change your clothes before contact with healthy domestic poultry and handling wild birds, captive wild birds, farmed birds, and other pet birds.
The virus can live for up to one month inside a poultry house at 40 ºF. AI virus has also been found to survive in lakes (where waterfowl usually congregate) for over 30 days at freezing temperatures.
Most AI viruses cause asymptomatic infections or mild diseases in poultry. However a few AI viruses of the H5 and H7 subtypes cause severe, systemic disease in chickens with nearly 100% mortality. Infected birds can shed influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and feces.
NB: This table is updated on a monthly basis following the updates from the Source. Globally, from 1 January 2003 to 28 March 2024, 888 cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus were reported from 23 countries. Of these 888 cases, 463 were fatal (CFR of 52%) (source).
Influenza A(H5N1) is the most common cause in humans. It can cause severe respiratory symptoms. People who work with poultry, waterfowl (like geese and ducks) and livestock are most at risk.
[1] first human case of A(H5N1) bird flu in the United States linked to an outbreak in dairy cows was also the first likely case of human infection with A(H5N1) from a cow globally. This was reported on April 1, 2024. The person reported eye redness as their only symptom, consistent with conjunctivitis, and recovered.
In humans, bird flu may cause illnesses similar to influenza (the flu) with fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and muscle aches. Less commonly, humans may have diarrhea and vomiting, and more rarely, seizures.
On rare occasion, the H5N1 virus has infected people. Over 200 human cases have occurred worldwide since 2003. This virus does not pass easily from person-to-person. Close contact with sick birds is the main route of infection in humans.
Avian influenza virus type A (H5N1) has been confirmed in dairy cattle in nine states: 15 herds in Michigan, 13 in Texas, eight in New Mexico, six in Idaho, four in Kansas, two in Colorado, and one each in Ohio, North Carolina, and South Dakota.
But if you have a severe infection or are at higher risk of complications, your healthcare professional may prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat the flu. These medicines can include oseltamivir (Tamiflu), baloxavir (Xofluza) and zanamivir (Relenza). Oseltamivir and baloxavir are taken by mouth.
Bill Hanage, associate professor of epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, doesn't think that a bird flu pandemic is imminent —at least not yet. Q: Some experts are saying that the spread of bird flu in cows may be much broader than it appears.
Infected poultry, and possibly pet birds, may show one or more of the following signs: Sudden death with no prior signs. Low energy or appetite. Purple discoloration or swelling of various body parts.
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