Human bird flu cases rising in the US: Here’s why; know symptoms and preventive tips – The Times of India

Bird flu or avian influenza cases in humans are on the rise in the US sparking fear of another pandemic similar to Covid-19. Four dairy workers have tested positive for H5N1 strain in the country amid massive spread of the virus in dairy cows. While there have been no cases of human-to-human spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 so far, the pathogen could evolve to infect humans more efficiently. Bird flu cases in cows had been unheard of till this year's outbreak. The first known cases of infected dairy cattle were observed in Texas in March; it has now grown to dairy herds in 12 states. According to United States Department of Agriculture (USA), 151 dairy cow herds have confirmed cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infections in dairy cows as the number of infected herds continues to grow. Since 2022, USDA APHIS has reported HPAI A(H5N1) virus detections in more than 200 mammals in the USA. Human cases of bird flu are so far spread from poultry, live poultry markets, or dairy cattle so far. Symptoms of human bird flu begin within two to eight days of infection and at start may seem like common flu. Cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache and shortness of breath are other symptoms. As the condition turns worse, gut issues, breathing issues, or CNS changes are reported. What is bird flu? Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious viral disease that spreads among birds. In rare cases, it can affect humans. H5N1, H7N9, H5N6 and H5N8 strains of the virus have been spreading in recent years. Bird flu can spread to humans if they touch the infected birds or their droppings or bedding. It may also spread while killing or preparing infected poultry for cooking. Human bird flu infection cases rising in the US "Bird flu is spreading in cattle herds in the US in a surprising development. Scientists term the route of transmission as 'artificial' which means the cows are not passing it to one another through natural contact and it probably isn't transmitting in airborne particles from cow-to-cow," says Dr R S Mishra, Principal Director - Internal Medicine, Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi. The expert says the transmission is happening in milking parlours and it looks like it's through contaminated milking machinery. Dr Mishra says the US spread of bird flu has been driven in large part by migratory waterfowl and the knowledge about migratory patterns and intercontinental associations of waterfowl, as well as genetic analyses of viral strains support the hypothesis that the recombinant highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 entered North America from Asia via migratory birds. "Colorado has reported four confirmed infections of H5N1 bird flu virus in poultry workers, and is checking on the status of a fifth suspected case. The workers showed mild symptoms, from conjunctivitis, or pink-eye, to respiratory signs. Human infections with H5N1 avian flu could cause severe disease and even a pandemic if the virus were to change and acquire the ability to spread easily between people hence it is of extreme importance to monitor its spread," says Dr Tushar Tayal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram. Precautions to follow to prevent bird flu Dr Mishra lists the following preventive measures that must be taken to avoid getting infected by the virus. 1. Proper sanitary measures must be implemented to prevent bird flu. This includes application of foot bath at the entry of the farms, washing of utensils and equipment after use at the farms. 2. One must wash their hands properly before and after various poultry-related work. 3. Avoid close contact with infected or suspected birds and animals, especially their droppings, saliva and other secretions. 4. Avoid consuming raw/uncooked/partially cooked poultry products such as chickens and eggs. Cooking for half-an-hour and 700C kills the bird flu virus. Symptoms of bird flu Symptoms of bird flu in humans include fever and cough, sore throat, muscle aches, conjunctivitis (eye infections), severe respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia. Complications of bird flu include pneumonia, organ failure, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Is vaccine the answer? Vaccination plays a crucial role in curbing diseases in both cattle and humans, particularly in the context of avian influenza outbreaks. Vaccinating against avian influenza can reduce transmission rates. Researchers are actively developing and testing vaccines for cattle, with promising candidates using mRNA technology and harmless DNA viruses to deliver genetic material. For humans, vaccination can protect individuals from getting ill and mitigate the risk of avian influenza viruses mixing with seasonal flu strains. This could prevent virus from being evolved to a more transmissible and dangerous forms. Countries like Finland and the United States are already vaccinating high-risk workers and stockpiling doses, emphasising the importance of preparedness. Additionally, advanced mRNA-based vaccines offer a rapid and adaptable response to emerging strains, enhancing the ability to manage potential pandemics effectively.

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Human bird flu cases rising in the US: Here's why; know symptoms and preventive tips - The Times of India