The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated in a summary on Friday their proactive measures in response to the potential escalation of health risks caused by bird flu. This comes after an outbreak was reported among dairy cows, along with two confirmed cases of humans contracting the virus.
The federal health agency reassured the public that the risk of bird flu, also known as avian influenza, to people in the U.S. is currently low. Furthermore, there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission in the U.S.
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In late March, federal and state public health officials launched an investigation into an illness affecting primarily older dairy cows in Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas. The cows were experiencing symptoms such as decreased lactation and low appetite.
Two cases of bird flu have been confirmed in farm workers in the United States. The first case was reported in Texas, while the second case was identified in Michigan. Both individuals had regular contact with livestock infected with bird flu.
According to the CDC, the two human patients only experienced eye redness as their symptoms. Fortunately, both individuals have made a full recovery.
According to the CDC, over 350 individuals who have come into contact with dairy cows or consumed unpasteurized cow’s milk have been under surveillance as of May 22. The Michigan case was detected through regular monitoring of farm workers. It is important to note that individuals working in agriculture, including farm workers, are at the greatest risk of contracting bird flu.
There is currently no evidence indicating the transmission of bird flu between individuals.
Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital, and an ABC News contributor, commended the government’s preparedness efforts as a proactive measure rather than a reactive one.
According to the expert, it is crucial for public health to remain proactive and vigilant. He emphasizes the importance of actively searching for potential signals and utilizing all available data to identify any changes. While public health agencies allocate significant resources to stay on guard, this should not cause unnecessary concern among the general public.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) collaborated with a manufacturing partner to carry out the “fill and finish” process while ensuring the uninterrupted production of the seasonal flu vaccine. According to O’Connell, the vaccine is a suitable match for the prevailing strain of H5N1.
The federal government has not expressed any reason to worry at this time, and the CDC emphasizes the need to maintain an enhanced flu network throughout the spring and summer. This includes conducting more tests on specimens, continuing surveillance efforts, and urging clinicians to consider bird flu as a possibility when evaluating patients who have conjunctivitis or respiratory illness after being exposed to agriculture or livestock.
Furthermore, tests have revealed traces of the virus in milk samples. However, it is important to note that pasteurization effectively neutralizes the virus, rendering it inactive. On the other hand, raw milk, which does not undergo pasteurization, can potentially harbor harmful bacteria that can lead to illness. Given this, health authorities have consistently advised against consuming raw milk.
