Bird flu virus susceptible to antiviral meds used against seasonal flu, says CDC – Successful Farming

Testing has confirmed that antiviral medications used against the seasonal flu would be effective against the H5N1 bird flu virus that also infects dairy cattle, said theCenters for Disease Control. The USDA said on Monday the virus has been confirmed in 33 dairy herds in eight states since it was first identified on March 25.

A dairy worker in Texas apparently contracted bird flu on the job and was treated for conjunctivitis early this month. It was the first known instance of likely mammal to human transmission, said the CDC. Authorities say risk of H5N1 to the public is low, and surveillance would continue to see if the virus was evolving to spread more easily.

This week CDC completed susceptibility testing for influenza antiviral medications that are used for seasonal influenza, said the agency in an update of its activities. Testing confirmed that the A(H5N1) virus was susceptible to all commercially available FDA-approved and recommended neuraminidase inhibitor antivirals, such as oseltamivir, zanamivir, and peramivir. Tests of a different antiviral, baloxavir marboxil, were under way.

Nearly 91 million birds in domestic U.S. flocks, mostly egg-laying chickens and turkeys being raised for human consumption, have died in outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) since February 2022, according toUSDA data. Some 8.7 million birds have died of HPAI or were culled as part of infected flocks this month. Nearly 9 billion broiler chickens and turkeys are slaughtered annually for meat.

HPAI is much milder among dairy cattle. Symptoms include a loss of appetite, reduced milk production, lethargy, and fever, most often among older cows. The cattle recover in a couple of weeks.

The latest case of HPAI in dairy cattle was in Idaho, its second infected herd, said the USDA. Texas has the largest number, 12 herds, according to aUSDA database.

Wild birds are believed to spread HPAI, so animal welfare officials urge farmers to adopt strong biosecurity measures, such as keeping wild birds away from their stock, limiting access by outsiders to their farms, and using foot baths to sanitize boots before entering barns.

Some poultry farmers use lasers, drones, air horns, and balloons to frighten wild birds from their property, reported theNew York Times. A sales manager for Bird Control Group, which makes roof-mounted laser systems, said dairy farmers were joining the customer list.

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Bird flu virus susceptible to antiviral meds used against seasonal flu, says CDC - Successful Farming