Public concern about bird flu heightened this week as the H5N1 virus continued to spread through the nation’s dairy and poultry farms, resulting in the first American being hospitalized with a severe infection. Federal officials announced on Wednesday that an elderly individual in Louisiana had become severely ill after contracting the virus from poultry in a backyard flock. This individual is among 61 people in the U.S. who have been infected this year, with no reported deaths until now.
Unlike in other countries where bird flu has been deadly, the U.S. has only experienced mild illnesses prior to this recent case. The Louisiana patient is the first confirmed case in the U.S. linked to a backyard flock. The strain of H5N1 in this case differs from the one affecting cattle, poultry, and farmworkers earlier in the year, although it is similar to strains found in wild birds and other individuals.
As authorities work to contain the virus, it’s important to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions:
– Individuals in close contact with infected animals, such as dairy or poultry workers, are at higher risk of contracting bird flu.
– Those with backyard flocks or involved in fowl hunting should handle birds with caution.
– Pasteurized milk and milk products are safe, but raw milk should be avoided as it may contain enough virus to cause illness.
Most infected individuals in the U.S. have experienced mild symptoms, such as pink eye, fever, fatigue, cough, muscle aches, and more. Variations in symptoms may be due to different virus strains or modes of transmission. For example, farmworkers may exhibit symptoms like red eyes if they come into contact with contaminated animals.
The Louisiana patient is currently in critical condition with severe respiratory symptoms, underlying medical conditions, and advanced age, putting them at higher risk for complications.
As of now, health officials have not recommended the use of vaccines against bird flu.
There have been few reports of person-to-person spread, with most cases of infection being mild. During the winter respiratory virus season, efforts have been made to vaccinate the country’s 200,000 livestock workers against seasonal flu. While standard flu vaccines do not protect against H5N1, officials are concerned about the possibility of dual infection leading to a more severe or transmissible form of bird flu. To counter this, federal officials have prepared 10 million doses of an H5N8 vaccine as a precaution. Finland has also distributed similar vaccines to its livestock workers to prevent an outbreak in the mink industry.
In the United States, significant funding has been allocated to research potential bird flu vaccines. Promising results have been seen with Moderna’s mRNA vaccine, which induced immune responses in ferrets. Another experimental mRNA vaccine developed by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania showed effectiveness in preventing severe illness and death in infected ferrets. Efforts are also being made to protect animals, especially dairy cows, from the virus.
As the virus has affected numerous herds across states, the USDA has approved seven vaccine field safety trials in cattle. Dr. Eric Deeble, a USDA official, highlighted ongoing vaccine development efforts. While there is already a test available for H5N1, Dr. Ben Bradley emphasized the need to monitor for potential red flags that could signal a larger outbreak.
Concerns include the possibility of person-to-person transmission and individuals being infected without realizing it. Some dairy workers have shown antibodies for H5N1, suggesting potential faster and more discreet spread of the virus. Despite the CDC reporting 61 confirmed cases of bird flu in the U.S., experts believe the actual number may be higher. Dr. Bradley urged vigilance as the virus could mutate and become more contagious or dangerous with increased infections.
Dr. Donald Karcher emphasized the unpredictable nature of viruses and the difficulty in foreseeing future threats. Vigilance and preparedness are essential to monitor and address the evolving situation. For further information, contact Adrianna Rodriguez at adrodriguez@usatoday.com.
The initial severe case of avian flu in the United States has sparked concerns about the potential for a pandemic.
