Category: Flu Virus

Although USDA have not released any information about how the mice contracted the virus, scientists suspect the creatures lived on a farm, and became infected after consuming unpasteurised milk from infected cattle.

A study was released a month ago documenting the death of cats from Texas which are thought to have contracted the virus via the same route.

The US authorities are warning consumers not to drink unpasteurised milk or other dairy products.

Mice dont stay in one place and can act as efficient vectors for disease.

Travelling in groups, they can climb through pipes, voids, and other tight spaces to move with ease from place to place, house to house. They thrive in groups of up to two dozen and practically live on top of each other meaning viruses can rapidly spread between them.

House mice living near infected farms can spread H5N1 virus into residential areas, making containment of the outbreak significantly more challenging, explained Dr Bright. This is out of control.

Rodents are infamous reservoirs of disease, and are responsible for a number of epidemics. The bubonic plague, or Black Death which killed off half of Europe in the 1300s was transmitted via rats.

Lassa Fever which causes around 5,000 in West Africa every year is carried by multimammate mice, which contaminate human food sources through urine and faeces.

We know mice can transmit pathogens like hantavirus, leptospirosis, and LCMV, explained Dr Krutika Kuppalli, a spokesperson for the Infectious Disease Society of America and former WHO medical officer.

I suspect this could happen with H5N1, but we will need more studies to understand this, she said.

We need urgent comprehensive testing to prevent a wider health crisis the history of rodent-borne pandemics like the Black Death underscores the potential severity of the H5N1 viruss spread into house mice, and the need for immediate action, added Dr Bright.

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'Out of control': Why the discovery of H5N1 bird flu in mice is so alarming - The Telegraph

Updated: June 5, 2024 4:35 PM EDT | Originally published: June 5, 2024 4:22 PM EDT

A person in Mexico died after contracting a strain of bird flu that hasnt been confirmed in humans before, the World Health Organization said Wednesday.

The virus was detected in a 59-year-old who had been hospitalized in Mexico City. The person died one week after developing a fever, shortness of breath and diarrhea. Its the first lab-confirmed case of a person contracting a form of bird flu known as H5N2, the WHO said in a statement, raising questions about a strain that has largely been under the radar. The current bird flu outbreak in US dairy cows is being driven by a different strain H5N1.

The patient, who lived in Central Mexico, had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals and had underlying medical conditions. The Mexican government does not know where the patient was exposed to the virus, though the strain of avian influenza has been reported in poultry in the Mexican state where the person lived.

No other H5N2 cases have been identified in humans, according to WHO, which said the current risk posed by the virus to the general public is low.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

The patient who died had been bedridden for three weeks for other reasons prior to the onset of acute symptoms, the WHO said, citing the patients relatives.

Mexican authorities reported the fatal human case to the WHO on May 23 after confirming the presence of the virus.

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Mexico Death Tied to Bird Flu Strain - TIME

The World Health Organization said on Wednesday a death was caused by the first laboratory-confirmed human case of infection with a subtype of avian influenza.

WHO said the 59-year-old resident of Mexico had died on April 24 after developing a fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea and general discomfort.

This was the first laboratory-confirmed human case of infection with A(H5N2) subtype of bird flu reported globally and the first H5 virus infection in a person reported in Mexico.

The victim had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals, WHO said. Cases of A(H5N2) subtype of the bird flu have been reported in poultry in Mexico.

The person had multiple underlying medical conditions and had been bedridden for three weeks, for other reasons, prior to the onset of acute symptoms, WHO said.

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WHO confirms first death in Mexico from bird flu never seen in humans - NBC News

LONDON Finland is preparing to offer vaccines to people at risk of exposure to an avian influenza strain spreading among farmed and wild animals, health officials there said, potentially becoming the first country to take such a step as concerns about the threat the virus poses to people intensify.

The vaccine campaign will be limited, with doses set to be available to groups including poultry farmers, veterinarians, scientists who study the virus, and people who work on fur farms housing animals like mink and fox and where there have been outbreaks.

In an email, Mia Kontio, a health security official at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, told STAT the country was waiting for 20,000 doses to arrive, but planned to administer them as soon as the vaccines are in the country.

The decision to start providing vaccines reflects fears that people in close contact with infected animals could contract the H5N1 virus themselves. The virus is, for now, not particularly adept at infecting humans or, more importantly, spreading among them. But scientists worry that as the virus infects more mammalian species, and if it encounters more human cells, then the higher the chances are that it evolves to become more of a threat to people.

The Finnish campaign also comes as the U.S. faces an H5N1 outbreak among dairy cattle previously a species scientists thought wasnt susceptible to the virus. Three dairy workers have had confirmed infections tied to the outbreak, and although the infections were all mild and there were no signs of forward transmission to other people, the cases underscored the risk to people who have contact with infected animals.

The concern here is about the animal-human interface, said Marc Lacey, the global executive director for pandemic at CSL Seqirus, the maker of several H5 vaccines, including the one Finland is planning on using.

Other countries are discussing deploying H5 vaccines or are working to secure supplies, Lacey said. The U.S., for example, last week hired CSL Seqirus to build up the number of H5 flu vaccine doses it has available. But Finland was the first country he knew of that actually planned to use the vaccine, at least in recent years outside research studies.

The vaccine to be administered in Finland is designed off a different avian influenza virus called H5N8, but researchers say the shot should still confer protection against H5N1. Its the hemagglutinin component of the vaccine the H part thats the main target. The vaccine also includes an adjuvant, a component that deepens the generated immune response.

European regulators authorized the vaccine, which is known as Zoonotic influenza vaccine Seqirus, based on a number of studies showing that it elicited immune responses that scientists think would be protective against avian influenza. Researchers cant run traditional efficacy trials with such products because the virus isnt circulating among people, so theyre typically approved based on these immunogenicity studies. The immunization is approved as a two-dose vaccine, with doses given at least three weeks apart.

Isabella Eckerle, a virologist at the Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, said that vaccinating people at high risk of exposure to the virus could protect them, but she said the world should not rely on human vaccination to prevent the H5N1 situation from worsening. Instead, health officials should work to limit transmission broadly, including among animals. Such efforts could include improving the use of personal protective equipment, or PPE, on farms, she said.

(In the U.S., health officials have made PPE available to dairy farms, but few have taken them up on the offer. Milking parlors can be hot and humid, meaning its not particularly pleasant to wear goggles, gowns, and masks.)

The most important thing would be not to have this virus circulating, particularly in mammals, Eckerle said.

She added that other flu vaccines cant always halt transmission, even if they reduce the risk of serious illness. Its possible then these vaccines will perform similarly.

They might prevent symptoms or disease, but we dont know if they prevent infection, she said.

Scientists have worried H5N1 could pose a pandemic threat since its discovery nearly 30 years ago. But in just the past few years, the virus has expanded its global footprint and its list of victims, spreading to just about every corner of the world and sickening and killing scores of wild and domesticated birds. Its also found its way to an increasing number of mammals. The dairy cow outbreak which thus far has only been seen in the U.S. is the latest twist in its history.

Finland, in particular, has been dealing with H5N1 outbreaks not just among birds, but on its fur farms, with at least 71 farms having cases last year. While most of the farms housed foxes, its the spread of the virus in mink in particular that heightens concerns. The receptors the virus uses to infiltrate their cells are thought to be similar to ours, possibly providing the virus with a training ground to become better at infecting our cells. Moreover, mink can be infected by avian and human flu viruses simultaneously, which could allow the viruses to swap genes and for the resulting pathogen to become more adept at spreading among people.

Last month, Finnish authorities announced expanded surveillance measures for the virus on the countrys fur farms; those measures will be in place through the end of September, a stretch when officials said the risk of transmission to the farm animals from wild birds was at its highest. But officials noted that Europe has documented fewer infections in wild bird populations this year than have been seen in the recent past.

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Finland to offer bird flu vaccine to select groups of people, a possible global first - STAT

Topline

Heres the latest news about a global outbreak of H5N1 bird flu that started in 2020, and recently spread among cattle in U.S. states and marine mammals across the world, which has health officials closely monitoring it and experts concerned the virus could mutate and eventually spread to humans, where it has proven rare but deadly.

A sign warns of a outbreak of bird flu.

June 5A new study examining the 2023 bird flu outbreak in South America that killed around 17,400 elephant seal pups and 24,000 sea lions found the disease spread between the animals in several countries, the first known case of transnational virus mammal-to-mammal bird flu transmission.

May 30Another human case of bird flu has been detected in a dairy farm worker in Michiganthough the cases arent connectedand this is the first person in the U.S. to report respiratory symptoms connected to bird flu, though their symptoms are resolving, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

May 23A new study with mice suggests that drinking infected milk can spread the diseaseand that a certain type of pasteurization may not always be effective in killing the virus.

May 22Michigan reported bird flu in a farmworkerthe second U.S. human case tied to transmission from dairy cowsthough the worker had a mild infection and has since recovered.

May 21Australia reported its first human case of bird flu after a child became infected in March after traveling to India, though the child has since recovered after suffering from a severe infection, according to the Victorian Department of Health.

May 16The USDA conducted a study, and discovered that after high levels of the virus was injected into beef, no trace was left after the meat was cooked medium to well done, though the virus was found in meat cooked to lower temperatures.

May 14The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released influenza A waste water data for the weeks ending in April 27 and May 4, and found several states like Alaska, California, Florida, Illinois and Kansas had unusually high levels, though the agency isnt sure if the virus came from humans or animals, and isnt able to differentiate between influenza A subtypes, meaning the H5N1 virus or other subtypes may have been detected.

May 10The Food and Drug Administration announced it will commit an additional $8 million to ensure the commercial milk supply is safe, while the Department of Agriculture said it will pay up to $28,000 per farm to help mitigate the spread of the disease, totaling around $98 million in funds.

May 9Some 70 people in Colorado are being monitored for bird flu due to potential exposure, and will be tested for the virus if they show any symptoms, the Colorado Department of Public Health told Forbesit was not immediately clear how or when the people were potentially exposed.

May 1The Department of Agriculture said it tested 30 grocery store ground beef products for bird flu and they all came back negative, reaffirming the meat supply is safe.

May 1The Food and Drug Administration confirmed dairy products are still safe to consume, announcing it tested grocery store samples of products like infant formula, toddler milk, sour cream and cottage cheese, and no live traces of the bird flu virus were found, although some dead remnants were found in some of the foodthough none in the baby products.

April 30Wenqing Zhang, head of the World Health Organization's Global Influenza Programme, said during a news briefing "there is a risk for cows in other countries to be getting infected," with the bird flu virus, since its commonly spread through the movement of migratory birds.

April 29The Department of Agriculture told Forbes it will begin testing ground beef samples from grocery stores in states with cow outbreaks, and test ground beef cooked at different temperatures and infected with the virus to determine if it's safe to eat.

April 24The USDA said cow-to-cow transmission may be occurring due to the cows coming into contact with raw milkand warned against humans and other animals, including pets, consuming unpasteurized milk to prevent potential infection.

April 18Jeremy Farrar, chief scientist for the World Health Organization, said during a press conference the threat of bird flu spreading between humans was a great concern, since its evolved and has increasingly been infecting mammals (on land and sea), which means it could possibly spread to humans.

April 1The CDC reported the second U.S. human case of bird flu in a Texas dairy farmer who became infected after contracting the virus from infected dairy cows, but said the person was already recovering.

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Bird flu doesnt transmit easily from person-to-person, according to the World Health Organization. Bird flu rarely affects humans, and most previous cases came from close contact with infected poultry, according to the CDC. Because human-to-human spread of bird flu poses pandemic potential, each human case is investigated to rule out this type of infection. Though none have been confirmed, there are a few global casesnone in the U.S.where human-to-human transmission of bird flu was thought to be probable, including in China, Thailand, Indonesia and Pakistan.

It is very deadly. Between January 2003 and March 28, 2024 there have been 888 human cases of bird flu infection in humans, according to a report by the World Health Organization. Of those 888 cases, 463 (52%) died. To date, only two people in the U.S. have contracted H5N1 bird flu, and they both were infected after coming into contact with sick animals. The most recent case was a dairy worker in Texas who became ill in March after interacting with sick dairy cows, though he only experienced pink eye. The first incident happened in 2022 when a person in Colorado contracted the disease from infected poultry, and fully recovered.

Raw, unpasteurized milk is unsafe to drink, but pasteurized milk is fine, according to the FDA. Bird flu has been detected in both unpasteurized and pasteurized milk, but the FDA recommends manufacturers against making and selling unpasteurized milk since theres a possibility consuming it may cause bird flu infection. However, the virus remnants in pasteurized milk have been deactivated by the heat during the pasteurization process, so this type of milk is still believed safe to consume.

The CDC warns against eating raw meat or eggs from animals confirmed or suspected of having bird flu because of the possibility of transmission. However, no human has ever been infected with bird flu from eating properly prepared and cooked meat, according to the agency. The possibility of infected meat entering the food supply is extremely low due to rigorous inspection, so properly handled and cooked meat is safe to eat, according to the USDA. To know when meat is properly cooked, whole beef cuts must be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, ground meat must be 160 degrees and poultry must be cooked to 165 degrees. Rare and medium rare steaks fall below this temperature. Properly cooked eggs with an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit kills bacteria and viruses including bird flu, according to the CDC. It doesnt matter if they may or may not have [avian] influenza runny eggs and rare pieces of meat are never recommended, Francisco Diez-Gonzalez, director and professor for the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia, told Forbes. To play it safe, consumers should only eat fully cooked eggs and make sure the yolks are firm with no runny parts, Daisy May, veterinary surgeon with U.K.-based company Medivet, said.

Symptoms of bird flu include a fever, cough, headache, chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, runny nose, congestion, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, pink eye, muscle aches and headache. However, the CDC advises it cant be diagnosed based on symptoms alone, and laboratory testing is needed. This typically includes swabbing the nose or throat (the upper respiratory tract), or the lower respiratory tract for critically ill patients.

This years egg prices have increased as production decreased due to bird flu outbreaks among poultry, according to the USDA. A dozen large, grade A eggs in the U.S. costed around $2.99 in March, up almost a dollar from the fall. However, this price is down from a record $4.82 in January 2023, which was also spiked by bird flu outbreaks. Earlier this month, Cal-Maine Foodsthe countrys largest egg producertemporarily halted egg production after over one million egg-laying hens and chickens were killed after being infected with bird flu.

Once chickens have been infected with bird flu, farmers quickly kill them to help control the spread of the virus, since bird flu is highly contagious and fatal in poultry. The USDA pays farmers for all birds and eggs that have to be killed because of bird flu, as an incentive to responsibly try and curb the spread of the disease. The USDA has spent over $1 billion in bird flu compensation for farmers since 2022, according to the nonprofit Food & Environment Reporting Network.

The FDA has approved a few bird flu vaccines for humans. The U.S. has a stockpile of vaccines for H5N1 bird flu, but it wouldnt be enough to vaccinate all Americans if an outbreak were to happen among humans. If a human outbreak does occur, the government plans to mass produce vaccines, which can take at least six months to make enough for the entire population. CSL Seqirus, the maker of one of the approved vaccines, expects to have 150 million vaccines ready within six months of an announcement of a human bird flu pandemic. Although there are approved vaccines for other variants designed for birds, there are none for the H5N1 variant circulating. However, the USDA began trials on H5N1 animal-specific vaccines in 2023.

As of May 30, more than 92 million poultry (primarily chickens) in 48 states have been euthanized because of bird flu since 2022, and 57 dairy cow herds across nine states have tested positive, according to data from the CDC (unlike chickens, cows appear to recover from the virus). The USDA believes wild migratory birds are the original source of the cow outbreaks that recently has experts concerned it may mutate and spread more easily in humans, though the CDC said its risk to the public remains low. Farrar called the cattle infections in the U.S. a huge concern, urging public health officials to continue closely monitoring the situation because it may evolve into transmitting in different ways. The increased number of mammal bird flu infections since 2022 could indicate that the virus is looking for new hosts, and of course, moving closer to people, Andrea Garcia, vice president of science, medicine and public health for the American Medical Association, said. The first report of a walrus dying from bird flu was detected in April on one of Norways Arctic Islands, and the first U.S. dolphin infected with bird flu died back in 2022, according to a report published April 18. More than 10 human bird flu cases were reported to the World Health Organization in 2023, and all but one survived. Bird flu has devastated bird populations, and 67 countries reported the deaths of 131 million poultry in 2022 alone. Although bird flu typically infects wild birds and poultry, its spread to other animals during the outbreak, and at least 10 countries have reported outbreaks in mammals since 2022. Around 17,400 elephant seal pups died from bird flu in Argentina in 2023, and at least 24,000 sea lions died in South America the same year. Besides cattle, bird flu has been detected in over 200 other mammalslike seals, raccoons and bearsin the U.S. since 2022. Although rare, even domestic pets like dogs and cats are susceptible to the virus, and the FDA warns against giving unpasteurized milk to cats to avoid possible transmission.

WHO Warns Threat Of Bird Flu Spreading To Humans Is Great Concern (Forbes)

One In Five Milk Samples From Across US Had Traces Of Bird Flu Virus, FDA Says (Forbes)

Can Pets Get Bird Flu? Heres What To Know (Forbes)

Avian H5N1 (Bird) Flu: Why Experts Are WorriedAnd What You Should Know (Forbes)

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Study Finds First Known Case Of Bird Flu Mammal-To-Mammal Transnational Transmission - Forbes

AS WE LEARN MORE. AND MORE BREAKING NEWS TONIGHT. THE FIRST CASE OF BIRD FLU HAS BEEN FOUND IN COWS IN IOWA. STATE OFFICIALS CONFIRMED IT CAME FROM A DAIRY HERD IN OBRIEN COUNTY THATS IN FAR NORTHWEST IOWA. THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAYS COWS NORMALLY SURVIVE BIRD FLU. WITH THE RIGHT KIND OF CARE, THE VIRUS IS N

Bird flu hits dairy herd in northwest Iowa

Updated: 5:07 PM CDT Jun 5, 2024

The United States Department of Agriculture announced that a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in a dairy herd in OBrien County.This is the first reported case of HPAI within a dairy herd in Iowa.HPAI can travel in wild birds, but is often fatal to domestic birds such as chickens and turkeys. Less than a month ago the USDA announced bird flu had been found among dairy cows in several states. Now, they are tightening the restrictions on taking those livestock over state lines.Given the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza within dairy cattle in many other states, it is not a surprise that we would have a case given the size of our dairy industry in Iowa. While lactating dairy cattle appear to recover with supportive care, we know this destructive virus continues to be deadly for poultry. Our team at the Department has been preparing for this possibility and will soon be announcing additional response steps to protect our flocks and herds, said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.Poultry producers and dairy farmers should immediately take steps to harden their biosecurity defenses, limit unnecessary visitors, and report symptomatic birds or cattle to the Department. This remains an evolving situation and we will continue to be in close communication with stakeholders, USDA, and other states as we evaluate our response. Our top priority is to protect our livestock and the farmers and people who care for them.Investigators are trying to determine how the virus was introduced into the flocks and herd.So far the USDA has confirmed cases in South Dakota, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Kansas, Idaho, Colorado, and now Iowa.Suspected signs of HPAI in poultry include:Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signsLethargy and/or lack of energy and appetiteDecrease in egg productionSoft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggsSwelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocksPurple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legsDifficulty breathingCoughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)Stumbling and/or falling downDiarrheaSuspected signs of HPAI in dairy cows include:Decrease in food consumption with a simultaneous decrease in ruminationClear nasal dischargeDrop in milk productionTacky or loose fecesLethargyDehydrationFeverThicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milkOfficials say that it is safe to enjoy poultry products. Consumers should utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165F. Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayGet the latest headlines from KCCI

The United States Department of Agriculture announced that a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in a dairy herd in OBrien County.

This is the first reported case of HPAI within a dairy herd in Iowa.

HPAI can travel in wild birds, but is often fatal to domestic birds such as chickens and turkeys. Less than a month ago the USDA announced bird flu had been found among dairy cows in several states. Now, they are tightening the restrictions on taking those livestock over state lines.

Given the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza within dairy cattle in many other states, it is not a surprise that we would have a case given the size of our dairy industry in Iowa. While lactating dairy cattle appear to recover with supportive care, we know this destructive virus continues to be deadly for poultry. Our team at the Department has been preparing for this possibility and will soon be announcing additional response steps to protect our flocks and herds, said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.

Poultry producers and dairy farmers should immediately take steps to harden their biosecurity defenses, limit unnecessary visitors, and report symptomatic birds or cattle to the Department. This remains an evolving situation and we will continue to be in close communication with stakeholders, USDA, and other states as we evaluate our response. Our top priority is to protect our livestock and the farmers and people who care for them.

Investigators are trying to determine how the virus was introduced into the flocks and herd.

So far the USDA has confirmed cases in South Dakota, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Kansas, Idaho, Colorado, and now Iowa.

Suspected signs of HPAI in poultry include:

Suspected signs of HPAI in dairy cows include:

Officials say that it is safe to enjoy poultry products. Consumers should utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165F.

Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

Get the latest headlines from KCCI

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Bird flu: O'Brien County dairy cows infected with HPAI - KCCI Des Moines

Dr. David Banach, infectious diseases physician, is UConn Healths hospital epidemiologist. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)

Since H5N1, or avian influenza, was first identified in 1996, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports four known cases of bird flu in humans in the U.S. But three of those cases are from this year, all linked to an outbreak among cows. The CDC publishes a report on bird flu that updates weekdays at 4 p.m.

Dr. David Banach, UConn Health infectious diseases expert and hospital epidemiologist, provides some early analysis.

If weve known about bird flu for nearly three decades, why is it making news today?

Avian flu has been circulating in the U.S. and throughout the world; its not a totally new virus. Weve seen strains of avian flu for decades. The CDC monitors this closely by tracking birds, and monitoring for signs off infection within a given flock.

More recently, theres been concern about poultry, including residential poultry people with their own chickens and the potential to spread flu between birds in those types of settings. But now, cows have become infected, which hadnt previously been seen to a significant extent. And now we know of the human cases, whose exposure was to cows that had become infected. So, this is a little bit different, in terms of mammal involvement and subsequent human infections. The fact that a bird is infecting mammals, then mammals are spreading it to each other, and now to humans, thats the change.

What does this mean for our beef and dairy supply? Could I get sick by eating poultry or beef, or by drinking milk?

It seems like the virus doesnt spread through milk or beef or poultry. This supports that doing things like pasteurizing milk and cooking meat adequately can help provide that extra layer of protection by killing off this particular virus as well as many other pathogens.

We know of four cases [as of June 4] of bird flu in humans in the U.S.: three this year and one two years ago. What, if anything, is that telling us?

Its telling us that its important to look for this, that its out there, and that we need to be aware of it. We dont know the full extent to which it spreads and how it can impact humans. There may be mild cases that just wouldnt be detected, and individuals would recover on their own. So, its important to have this on the radar and to have active public health surveillance in order to really understand the extent to which it actually has spread.

How concerned should we be about transmission among people?

I think the risk to the general public is low, but I think its something we have to keep an eye on. It is important to know if we see spread to other mammals, signs that human-to-human transmission is occurring, or if we see larger outbreaks occurring. Those would be the kinds of things that would raise the level of concern for the public.

If I had to get a version of the flu, would I rather have regular flu or bird flu?

The problem with the bird flu is that its novel. These other flu viruses, youve likely encountered them in the past and youve probably had vaccines against them in the past, so you have some of that pre-existing immunity. People get infected with the flu every year and get some degree of immunity thats protective. If it doesnt completely protect you from getting the flu it can mitigate the severity of it. But the problem with these novel strains is that you may not have seen them in the past, so it would be the first time youve been exposed to them. That could result in a more severe infection.

What are the symptoms of bird flu and how do we differentiate bird flu from regular flu, COVID-19, RSV, pneumonia, and the common cold?

Theres a lot of overlap. This flu may present with similar symptoms to seasonal flu: fevers, muscle aches, just typical flu symptoms. I think we see similar kinds of symptoms. Interestingly, in two human cases, there was conjunctivitis associated with it, which we dont see with regular flu. But the numbers arent big enough to make that strong association. But avian flu could be more severe because of that lack of pre-existing immunity.

And could one also argue that it could be less severe, because its only risen to two human cases, suggesting more people may have gotten it, but they were asymptomatic, it didnt even bother them, and well never know?

Exactly. We dont know unless we look for it. And there are things going on at the public health level: for instance, theyll take all the influenza A cases and test a subset to identify their strain or do further testing. So, we have systems in place to start to do that public health work to try to identify cases of avian flu.

Would treating it be similar to treating these other respiratory ailments?

Treatment is mostly supportive care. We also have antiviral medications, such as oseltamivir, which seem to be active against this particular strain. That has been part of the treatment of humans who have had avian flu infection. If you do have contact with poultry or mammals and develop flu symptoms, its important to inform your health care provider of this potential exposure.

And of course, this would be another reason to remember to wash your hands, and all those precautions?

Yes, and special precautions for people who are coming in contact with cows and poultry, who should be extra vigilant about hand washing. There are recommendations to wear a mask or a respirator and eye protection in cases where theres going to be really close contact. In addition to hand washing, those are really critical if youre going to be working with dairy cows or herds of animals that could be infected. The CDC provides some great guidance on how to best protect yourself in these situations.

If it can infect cows, what other animals could in infect? What about domestic pets? Are we going to have to start worrying about our dogs?

Birds predominantly have been the main concern. Whether your chicken flock can get infected and infect your dog, we still have more to learn about that.

But for the general population of people I think the risk is low, and people working closely with poultry, or now cows, should be attentive to an increased risk and should be taking precautions.

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Early Take on Bird Flu - UConn Today - University of Connecticut

Courier staff

DES MOINES State officials have detected bird flu virus in an Iowa dairy herd for the first time.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in OBrien County. Final confirmatory testing is pending at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames.

The affected farm is a dairy herd, and it is Iowas first reported case of HPAI within a dairy. To date, APHIS has confirmed over 80 dairy cases on farms in South Dakota, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Kansas, Idaho and Colorado.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will soon be announcing additional response measures.

Additionally, genomic sequencing of the virus that was detected at the Sioux County farm announced May 28 was determined by the NVSL in Ames to be consistent with the variant identified in affected dairies in other states. Sequencing is not yet completed on the virus detected at a recent turkey flock in Cherokee County or this dairy in OBrien County. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to try to determine how the virus was introduced into the flocks and herd.

Given the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza within dairy cattle in many other states, it is not a surprise that we would have a case given the size of our dairy industry in Iowa. While lactating dairy cattle appear to recover with supportive care, we know this destructive virus continues to be deadly for poultry. Our team at the department has been preparing for this possibility and will soon be announcing additional response steps to protect our flocks and herds, said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. Poultry producers and dairy farmers should immediately take steps to harden their biosecurity defenses, limit unnecessary visitors, and report symptomatic birds or cattle to the Department. This remains an evolving situation and we will continue to be in close communication with stakeholders, USDA, and other states as we evaluate our response. Our top priority is to protect our livestock and the farmers and people who care for them.

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Bird flu virus detected in Iowa dairy herd for first time - WCF Courier

Recent outbreaks of bird flu in US dairy herds, poultry farms in Australia and elsewhere, and isolated cases in humans have raised the issue of food safety.

So can the virus transfer from infected farm animals to contaminate milk, meat or eggs? How likely is this?

And what do we need to think about to minimise our risk when shopping for or preparing food?

Bird flu (or avian influenza) is a bird disease caused by specific types of influenza virus. But the virus can also infect cows. In the US, for instance, to date more than 80 dairy herds in at least nine states have been infected with the H5N1 version of the virus.

Investigations are under way to confirm how this happened. But we do know infected birds can shed the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and faeces. So bird flu can potentially contaminate animal-derived food products during processing and manufacturing.

Indeed, fragments of bird flu genetic material (RNA) were found in cows milk from the dairy herds associated with infected US farmers.

However, the spread of bird flu among cattle, and possibly to humans, is likely to have been caused through contact with contaminated milking equipment, not the milk itself.

The test used to detect the virus in milk which uses similar PCR technology to lab-based COVID tests is also highly sensitive. This means it can detect very low levels of the bird flu RNA. But the test does not distinguish between live or inactivated virus, just that the RNA is present. So from this test alone, we cannot tell if the virus found in milk is infectious (and capable of infecting humans).

Does that mean milk is safe to drink and wont transmit bird flu? Yes and no.

In Australia, where bird flu has not been reported in dairy cattle, the answer is yes. It is safe to drink milk and milk products made from Australian milk.

In the US, the answer depends on whether the milk is pasteurised. We know pasteurisation is a common and reliable method of destroying concerning microbes, including influenza virus. Like most viruses, influenza virus (including bird flu virus) is inactivated by heat.

Although there is little direct research on whether pasteurisation inactivates H5N1 in milk, we can extrapolate from what we know about heat inactivation of H5N1 in chicken and eggs.

So we can be confident there is no risk of bird flu transmission via pasteurised milk or milk products.

However, its another matter for unpasteurised or raw US milk or milk products. A recent study showed mice fed raw milk contaminated with bird flu developed signs of illness. So to be on the safe side, it would be advisable to avoid raw milk products.

Bird flu has caused sporadic outbreaks in wild birds and domestic poultry worldwide, including in Australia. In recent weeks, there have been three reported outbreaks in Victorian poultry farms (two with H7N3 bird flu, one with H7N9). There has been one reported outbreak in Western Australia (H9N2).

The strains of bird flu identified in the Victorian and Western Australia outbreaks can cause human infection, although these are rare and typically result from close contact with infected live birds or contaminated environments.

Therefore, the chance of bird flu transmission in chicken meat is remote.

Nonetheless, it is timely to remind people to handle chicken meat with caution as many dangerous pathogens, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, can be found on chicken carcasses.

Always handle chicken meat carefully when shopping, transporting it home and storing it in the kitchen. For instance, make sure no meat juices cross-contaminate other items, consider using a cool bag when transporting meat, and refrigerate or freeze the meat within two hours.

Avoid washing your chicken before cooking to prevent the spread of disease-causing microbes around the kitchen.

Finally, cook chicken thoroughly as viruses (including bird flu) cannot survive cooking temperatures.

The recent Australian outbreaks have occurred in egg-laying or mixed poultry flocks, so concerns have been raised about bird flu transmission via contaminated chicken eggs.

Can flu viruses contaminate chicken eggs and potentially spread bird flu? It appears so. A report from 2007 said it was feasible for influenza viruses to enter through the eggshell. This is because influenza virus particles are smaller (100 nanometres) than the pores in eggshells (at least 200 nm).

So viruses could enter eggs and be protected from cleaning procedures designed to remove microbes from the egg surface.

Therefore, like the advice about milk and meat, cooking eggs is best.

The US Food and Drug Administration recommends cooking poultry, eggs and other animal products to the proper temperature and preventing cross-contamination between raw and cooked food.

If you consume pasteurised milk products and thoroughly cook your chicken and eggs, there is nothing to worry about as bird flu is inactivated by heat.

The real fear is that the virus will evolve into highly pathogenic versions that can be transmitted from human to human.

That scenario is much more frightening than any potential spread though food.

Read the rest here:

With all this bird flu around, how safe are eggs, chicken or milk? - The Conversation Indonesia

O'Brien County dairy farm now the first herd of cows in Iowa to see a case of the bird flu

by Iowa's News Now

{p}The first case of bird flu in Iowa cows has been detected in a dairy herd in O'Brien County. A test for final confirmation of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) case is currently pending at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames.{/p}{p}The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) made the announcement in a press release on Wednesday.{/p}{p}While it's the first dairy farm to be affected in Iowa, more than 80 HPAI cases have hit dairy farms in South Dakota, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Kansas, Idaho and Colorado.{/p}

O'Brien County

The first case of bird flu in Iowa cows has been detected in a dairy herd in O'Brien County. A test for final confirmation of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) case is currently pending at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) made the announcement in a press release on Wednesday.

While it's the first dairy farm to be affected in Iowa, more than 80 HPAI cases have hit dairy farms in South Dakota, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Kansas, Idaho and Colorado.

Officials say the genome sequencing of the virus found at a Sioux County egg farm last week was consistent with the variant that's been found in dairies in other states. Sequencing for the virus detected in the O'Brien County dairy herd and a turkey flock in Cherokee County isn't complete yet, but epidemiologists are investigating how the virus was introduced in those cases.

HPAI is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic bird populations as well as lactating dairy cattle. HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys. With supportive care, dairy cattle recover with little to no mortality associated with the disease.

If dairy producers suspect cases of HPAI, they should contact their herd veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305. USDAs federal order regulating the interstate movement of lactating dairy cattle remains in effect.

Clinical signs of HPAI in dairy may include:

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and dairy farmers to bolster their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks and herds. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has biosecurity recommendations for dairy herds to utilize. In addition, the Department has numerous other biosecurity resources for poultry producers and livestock farms to reference on its website. Farmers or farm workers who interact regularly with both dairy and poultry or who interact frequently with other farm workers in poultry or dairy, should take extra precautions to limit possible transmissions.

Suspected Cases in Poultry

If poultry producers or those with backyard birds suspect signs of HPAI, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

Clinical signs of HPAI in birds may include:

It remains safe to enjoy poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165F. It is a longstanding practice that only milk from healthy animals may enter the food supply. There is no concern about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products. Pasteurization has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk.

Though recent cases of HPAI were confirmed in dairy workers in Texas and Michigan, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to believe the threat to the general public remains low. Any questions related to public health should be directed to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services at alex.murphy@hhs.iowa.gov. There are no known human cases in Iowa.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says it plans to announce more response measures soon.

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Originally posted here:

O'Brien County dairy farm now the first herd of cows in Iowa to see a case of the bird flu - KGAN TV