CDC Confirms First Severe Human Case of Bird Flu in the US. Here’s What You Should Know

CDC just confirmed First serious case of human infection with avian influenza in U.S. In Louisiana. The patient, who is currently hospitalized, was exposed to sick and dead birds from a backyard chicken flock, making this the first U.S. case of H5N1 avian influenza linked to exposure to backyard chicken flocks. However, the CDC said such sporadic cases of severe H5N1 avian influenza are not uncommon, as H5N1 viruses have been linked to severe human illness and death in other countries in 2024 and before.

The CDC reports that “human-to-human transmission of H5 avian influenza has not been found.” “This case does not change CDC’s overall assessment of the immediate public health risk from H5N1 avian influenza, which remains low.”

The case occurred about a month later Canadian teenager hospitalized Suffering from H5N1 avian influenza. The Public Health Agency of Canada said the virus is “associated with an ongoing outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in poultry in British Columbia.” However, Canadian public health officials cited privacy concerns No update on the patient’s condition has been provided. or the source of the virus, even if their investigation has concluded.

In the past few months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Influenza Surveillance System has announced two human cases of avian influenza that were not clearly linked to exposure to sick animals— Missouri Adult Reported in early September and late November, a kid in california.

Risks to the public (i.e. people who do not have direct contact with farm animals, especially sick animals) still lowAccording to the Centers for Disease Control. Many infectious disease experts and scientists have continued to call for more alert and action regarding the current avian influenza outbreak, especially after the first reports of avian influenza in pigs this fall. While again emphasizing that the risk to the public is low, the CDC says bird flu is spreading to a new species of mammal “always caring”, especially pigs, as they are particularly susceptible to influenza viruses.

What’s more, the spread of avian influenza overlaps with new interest in avian influenza. The health trend of drinking raw milk. November, Raw milk sold in California Recalled due to containing avian influenza virus. Two indoor cats that ate the raw milk and died tested positive for influenza A (of which H5N1 avian influenza is a subtype), a rare condition in cats. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, The department is “These suspected cases of H5 avian influenza are being considered and confirmatory testing is ongoing,” noting that a nationwide outbreak of H5 avian influenza has occurred in other cats that have contracted the virus after consuming infected raw milk.

The fact that bird flu is found in raw milk isn’t necessarily surprising since raw milk doesn’t go through the pasteurization process, which can inactivate harmful bacteria or viruses like bird flu, but it raises concerns about another route of concern, although no disease can be transmitted through this route.

As long as animals and humans live, work, and gather with each other, viruses have the potential to mutate enough to spread from one species to another. Fortunately, human infections with avian influenza have so far been rare, in part because the virus does not spread easily from animals to humans, or between humans, although sporadic cases have occurred in other countries and the United States. The gap between the likelihood of human exposure to avian influenza compared to the continued spread of avian influenza in animals is narrowing, and understanding of the risks avian influenza poses to public health and its threat to another pandemic is becoming increasingly clear. important.

Here’s information about avian influenza, or bird flu, and how it manifests in humans.

What is avian influenza?

in short, Bird flu, also known as bird flua type of influenza that spreads among some animals, is currently causing outbreaks in birds and cattle in the United States. Scientists are paying close attention to mutations that could allow the virus to spread from person to person, which would pose a significant public health threat.

More specifically, avian influenza is a disease caused by influenza A virus infection, which can be classified as “highly pathogenic” or “lowly pathogenic”. The H5N1 virus strain currently causing outbreaks in animals is highly pathogenic.

Avian influenza was first discovered and controlled in 1997, but Reappeared in 2003 and began to spread widely among birds.

World Health Organization report Four influenza viruses: A, B, C and D. this The 2009 “Swine Flu” Pandemic It is caused by type A virus. seasonal influenza virus Human infections are caused by type A and B viruses.

Is bird flu fatal? How many cases have there been in the United States?

61 people have been diagnosed Human cases of H5 (highly pathogenic) avian influenza In the United States, according to information from the CDC on December 17. The vast majority of these were people with direct contact with sick animals, and the CDC’s influenza surveillance system showed no signs of abnormal human influenza activity.

Human cases remain rare, but avian influenza is considered a serious threat to public health because of its historically high mortality rate— about half Cases of H5N1 avian influenza have resulted in deaths since tracking began, according to the World Health Organization. No deaths from avian influenza have been reported in the United States; historically people who have tested positive for the virus had direct contact with sick animals and exhibited symptoms mild flu-like symptoms.

In Canada, a teenager was Hospitalized due to bird flu. However, there has been no update on its status or source of infection.

Is there a bird flu vaccine?

There is currently no avian influenza vaccine available or recommended for people. However, the United States has been investing in developing vaccines that could be used in emergencies. In October, the Strategic Preparedness and Response Authority awarded approximately $72 million to CSL Seqirus, Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline to Fill and complete extra dose Vaccines available for avian influenza.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced in early July that the government was $176 million for Moderna Developing an influenza mRNA vaccine that could be used if avian influenza begins to spread between humans or becomes a pandemic.

Can I get bird flu from milk, eggs or meat?

In the United States, there have not been any reports of people becoming infected with avian influenza from drinking milk or eating poultry or beef. The commercial food supply, which is most of the food you buy at your average grocery store, is regulated and meat from affected animals should not be on store shelves.

ever Inactivated avian influenza virus fragments found This has been present in pasteurized milk samples since the virus began to be transmitted to dairy cows. The high-temperature Pasteurization process inactivates any viruses or bacteria that could make people sick, including bird flu. Infectious virus found in raw milk, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Reiterating the general health risks of drinking raw milknot only against avian influenza, but also against other pathogens that often live in unpasteurized milk.

On the meat side, cooking ground burgers also holds promise Kill avian influenza virusAccording to the Department of Agriculture. The same goes for poultry; according to the Centers for Disease Control, Boiled eggs and poultry An internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit kills viruses, including bird flu.

Depending on the infectious disease, it may be difficult to catch the flu through food or drink anyway Experts we interviewed In the past, because influenza (including avian influenza) is a respiratory virus.

If you work directly with animals or livestock, including working on a farm, or even if you Visit a market with livestockyou should look at the specific regulations of the CDC Safety tips to reduce the risk of transmission.