A recent bird flu outbreak has been verified as the virus spreads in the U.S. The lethal H7N9 strain was identified on a poultry farm in Noxubee, Mississippi, marking its first appearance since 2017. The infection affected 47,654 commercial broiler-breeder chickens, as confirmed by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) on March 13.
After testing samples from the flock at the Mississippi Veterinary Research & Diagnostic Laboratory, the State of Mississippi Board of Animal Health announced the positive results for highly pathogenic avian influenza in a press release on March 12. The impacted area has been quarantined, and the birds on the premises have been culled to prevent further spread. None of the birds have entered the food supply chain, as reassured by the Mississippi board.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, in collaboration with state officials, is conducting an extensive epidemiological investigation and heightened surveillance following the detection, as noted by WOAH. While the H5N1 strain of bird flu has inflicted significant harm on poultry and led to one human fatality, H7N9 has exhibited a high mortality rate globally, according to Reuters.
The H7N9 strain has claimed the lives of 616 out of 1,568 individuals infected worldwide since its emergence in China in 2013, according to the World Health Organization. Fortunately, neither strain has demonstrated easy transmission between humans. Despite the recent rise in bird flu cases, Dr. John Whyte, WebMD CEO and practicing physician, suggested precautions, emphasizing the importance of thoroughly cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Dr. Whyte acknowledged the presence of bird flu and recommended vigilance but conveyed a lack of excessive concern, especially when compared to other pressing health issues such as flu outbreaks and measles. For further health-related articles, you can visit www.foxnews.com/health.
