Dairy worker’s bird flu case sparks concern as experts wonder about spillover to humans – KEYE TV CBS Austin

Dairy worker's bird flu case sparks concern as experts wonder about spillover to humans

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTGS)

The recent bird flu infection of a dairy worker in Texas has placed officials and scientists on high alert. Although experts say the virus isnt something to panic about, it certainly is something to keep an eye on.

Doctors told WTGS that the virus has a mortality rate of around 50% in humans. While it hasnt infected a lot of humans, this week the CDC asked states to be ready with testing.

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," said Timothy Connelly, an internal medicine physician at Memorial Health.

The initial symptoms of bird flu are very similar to COVID-19 or the regular flu, such as muscle aches and upper respiratory symptoms that could have you reaching for ibuprofen. Connelly said the medication that is highly effective in this instance is Tamiflu. It works best if given within 48 hours of getting infected.

The virus is contagious and is spread through the air.

"It is not easily spread between humans. Usually, people get it from birds," said Connelly. "But as we have seen, recently people have been able to get it from cows. It hasnt been a lot of animals that have been infected. There have been a significant number of chickens and poultry birds that have been infected. The FDA has identified them and taken them out of the food supply. If you were to consume an animal that was infected, if you cooked it properly that would kill the virus. It is not something that we are super concerned about right now."

While there are four vaccines licensed for avian influenza, none are approved for the more dangerous bird flu strain: H5N1. A vaccine specifically for that strain is in trials.

Connelly said there is some degree of protection with the traditional flu shot.

Poultry farms across Georgia serve as one of the state's leading cash crops. A lot of migrant birds pass through southeastern Georgia, and they bring with them disease.

"Agriculture workers are the most likely individuals to get infected with this first," Connelly said. "Particularly people who work with birds. The migratory pattern of birds is what spreads this. We are towards the end of the migratory season. We are hoping it doesnt become an issue this year. But every year we have been seeing more species getting bird flu, more mammals getting bird flu, and more pathology with bird flu."

In the coming months, Connelly said the big question is how we'd be able to treat it if a lot of people were to get it at one time. He added that preparation is the best way to avoid the question.

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Dairy worker's bird flu case sparks concern as experts wonder about spillover to humans - KEYE TV CBS Austin