The HPAI A(H5N1) virus, in any other case often called avian influenza or the chicken flu, was lately detected in a dairy farmer in Texas. It’s the primary report of chicken flu within the US since April 2022. The CDC launched a press release on the standing of the virus within the nation and issued suggestions on find out how to keep away from it.
What’s the Issue?
The CDC issued a press release discussing avian influenza and is presently working with the USDA, FDA, and state departments to watch the virus throughout the US. The general dangers of the virus rising into a bigger public well being difficulty, nevertheless, stays low, in line with the CDC.1
Avian influenza is commonly detected in wild birds and poultry farms throughout the US | picture credit score: Dewald / inventory.adobe.com
- The virus was detected in a cow at a cattle farm. Despite issues of it spreading from cattle to different animals and probably people, the pasteurization course of has confirmed to kill all micro organism and viruses earlier than the distribution of dairy merchandise.1
- “Currently, HPAI A(H5N1) viruses are circulating among wild birds in the United States, with associated outbreaks among poultry and backyard flocks and sporadic infections in mammals,” wrote the CDC in a press release. They additionally sequenced the virus genome and located comparable cases in different wild birds and poultry. However, cattle and human viruses lack the adjustments wanted to higher adapt to affecting mammals.1
- The virus is carefully associated to 2 present HPAI A(H5N1) candidate vaccine viruses and producers might shortly make a vaccine if crucial.
READ MORE: Are We Close to a Universal Flu Vaccine?
Why it Matters
For simply the second time, somebody within the US has contracted avian influenza. It is extremely pathogenic, but no extreme sickness or demise has occurred within the US because of the virus, with solely 900 instances detected worldwide.1
- Avian influenza was first reported within the US in April 2022 in Colorado by a person who got here into contact with poultry contaminated with the virus.1 It was then reported for a second time in Texas when a dairy farmer skilled eye redness after contacting cattle. No additional instances have been reported as of now.
- While some outbreaks worldwide led to a complete rely of round 900 reported instances, the unfold has decreased considerably since 2016, which makes this recent case so alarming.
- Because influenza viruses are consistently altering, the CDC is conducting ongoing analysis initiatives and protecting Americans knowledgeable on the evolution of the chicken flu.
Expert Commentary
- “The fact that it spread to one human case is certainly making us want to take this very seriously. But folks should know that right now, the risk to them is very low,” stated Dr. Mandy Cohen, Director of the CDC.2
- “As we look more closely at the virus’s genetics, it is very similar to the virus that we’ve seen spread in bird populations. And so, we’re not seeing an important change in the virus that would increase our alarm,” stated Dr. John Brownstein, chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital and an ABC News medical contributor.2 “The risk really is concentrated in those that are working in close proximity to animals and birds. And those are the people that we, of course, need to improve our surveillance and make sure that we identify any case as early as possible.”
- “We feel in a good place to be able to understand this, learn more, and be prepared. But we are taking it very seriously. And so, you are seeing a mobilization of all of the government levers that we have to make sure that we are prepared,” continued Cohen.2
In Depth Insights
The CDC has knowledgeable the general public on the place chicken flu originates, the signs to look out for, and proposals on find out how to deal with and, most significantly, keep away from the avian chicken flu.
- Symptoms embody gentle to average sickness. For instance, people who are available contact with the virus might expertise a cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, or eye redness—which was reported by probably the most recent case—amongst different signs. Although no extreme diseases have been reported, the virus might trigger pneumonia, sepsis, or respiratory problems.1
- For farmers, poultry employees, and livestock homeowners, the CDC extremely encourages the right use of non-public protecting tools (PPE), corresponding to an N95 masks, eye safety, and gloves, with hand washing a should.1
- “People should avoid being near sick or dead animals or surfaces contaminated with the animal’s feces, litter, raw milk, or other byproducts when not wearing respiratory or eye protection. As always, people should not prepare or eat uncooked or undercooked food or related uncooked food products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk or raw cheeses, from animals with suspected or confirmed HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection,” concluded the CDC.1
