The outbreak of bird flu has been ongoing for over three years now, and unfortunately, it is still continuing to spread worldwide. The situation in the United States is especially concerning as the virus is causing significant impacts on food production and animal populations. Shockingly, over 80 million chickens have been infected, along with thousands of wild birds and even several mammal species, such as a polar bear.
Since March, the presence of the disease has been detected in 94 herds across 12 states, and it is now spreading rapidly among dairy cows. Even an alpaca on an Idaho farm has tested positive for the disease.
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- 1 How widespread is this bird flu outbreak?
- 2 Can humans get bird flu?
- 3 Why are officials concerned about human exposure to bird flu?
- 4 How is this outbreak of avian flu different from previous ones?
- 5 How is bird flu spreading?
- 6 Could climate change play a role in this bird flu outbreak?
- 7 Is shrinking space for birds playing a role?
Julianna Lenoch, who serves as the national coordinator for the Department of Agriculture’s wildlife disease program, expressed the enormity of the disease’s presence, stating that it is truly massive in scope and scale.
The price of eggs, renewed warnings to cook ground beef and eggs thoroughly, and extraordinary measures being taken by dairy and poultry farmers to prevent the spread of this scale all reflect the gravity of the situation.
The lingering outbreak is causing increasing anxiety about the potential threats to humans. The growing fear is that the rise in temperature and extreme weather conditions may aggravate the current pandemic and future ones.
How widespread is this bird flu outbreak?
Since its initial detection in Europe and Asia in 2020, the H5N1 virus has rapidly spread to six continents, including North and Central America, as well as most of South America. This highly contagious virus has made its presence known on every continent except Australia. In a concerning development, the virus was also discovered in Antarctica last fall, prompting fears about its potential impact on penguins and other beloved bird species.
Avian influenza outbreaks have occurred previously in the United States, but the current one is more extensive and persistent. Almost all states, except for Louisiana and Hawaii, have reported the infection of domestic poultry flocks in both commercial and backyard settings. Since May 1, over 5.9 million birds have been affected by this outbreak.
In the past year, there have been reports of infections in a staggering 14 million turkeys and 80 million chickens, which included 71 million egg layers. When a poultry flock tests positive, farmers are required to cull the chickens and turkeys. Unfortunately, this measure to prevent human infection has contributed to the increased cost of eggs.
According to reports, infected mammals have been discovered in 31 states across the United States. The highest number of infections were found in a variety of animals including foxes, mice, striped skunks, mountain lions, cats, and harbor seals.
According to research studies, when the virus lingers and spreads for a longer period of time, it heightens the chances of genetic mutations occurring. These mutations could potentially facilitate the virus’s transmission from animals to humans and among humans themselves.
According to Lenoch, who is in charge of the federal program that monitors the virus in wild birds, the longer the virus remains in circulation, the higher the chances become for mutations to occur.
Can humans get bird flu?
During a Thursday briefing, federal officials emphasized that although there is a risk, it is still very low in the United States. They are urging the public to remain “alert but not alarmed.”
Four individuals in the U.S. have tested positive for the virus since it arrived in the winter of 2021-2022, all of whom contracted it while working on farms. The first case, reported in 2022, involved a worker who was helping to cull infected poultry on a farm. In 2022, three patients were exposed to dairy cows, with two only experiencing conjunctivitis, or pink eye, while the third also had upper respiratory symptoms. While there have been no reported deaths from the virus in the U.S., fatalities have been reported in other countries.
According to federal officials, raw milk is the only food item that is considered unsafe for consumption by the general public. As long as you cook ground beef and eggs thoroughly, there is no need to worry about the virus. Cooking eliminates any traces of the virus that may be present in egg yolks or ground beef from cows that were once infected and then sent to the market for butchering.
According to federal research, pasteurization effectively eliminates the active virus present in milk, making it safe for consumption as it can no longer be transmitted. However, traces of the virus that pose no harm are still detectable in approximately 20% of the country’s milk supply.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, it is currently unclear whether the virus can be transmitted through raw milk. As a precautionary measure, the FDA has requested that states which permit the sale of raw milk to impose restrictions.
During a recent speech to the Western Governors Association, Xavier Becerra, the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, expressed concern over the prevalence of a certain substance in 20% of our milk supply. He stated that this should be a cause for alarm as it indicates that the substance has already been widely distributed. Becerra also warned that if the levels of this substance were to increase, it could potentially become a much more serious issue.
Why are officials concerned about human exposure to bird flu?
Federal agencies and researchers are deeply concerned about the potential evolution of the virus, which could make it more contagious among humans. As of now, the virus is not easily transmissible between humans and there have been no reported cases of person-to-person transmission.
Experts warn that if strict measures are not put in place to prevent repeated viral transmission between wild and domestic animals, the risk to humans could increase.
The Department of Agriculture and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have emphasized the need for farmers to increase their efforts in preventing the spread of diseases. This can be achieved by ensuring that equipment is regularly cleaned and disinfected, especially when handling manure and feed. It is also important to prioritize the safety of farm employees to prevent any potential risks.
On Thursday, officials from the agency emphasized the crucial importance of preventing the spread of farms to other farms.
How is this outbreak of avian flu different from previous ones?
According to a study conducted by researchers Jonathan Runstadler and Wendy Puryear from Tufts University, the current outbreak is exceptional in its global reach and the variety of bird and mammal species it has affected. The study emphasizes the importance of remaining vigilant and conducting further research, as the risk of transmission to humans remains low but significant. The researchers conclude that this outbreak highlights the continued need to monitor and study emerging infectious diseases.
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a disease that spreads worldwide among birds. Migratory waterfowl, like ducks, are particularly susceptible to this virus as they are natural carriers. These birds travel long distances, sometimes crossing hemispheres, and shed the virus through mucus, saliva, and feces.
According to Lenoch, in past outbreaks, wild birds would typically carry the virus without showing any symptoms. However, the current strain has evolved to the point where wild birds are now experiencing sickness and mass fatalities.
According to Diann Prosser, a research wildlife biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Eastern Ecological Science Center, the virus is causing a multitude of concerns. Apart from its devastating effects on human health and agriculture, it is also taking a toll on various wildlife species, including seabirds, raptors, and marine mammals.
Officials are uncertain about the rare spillover of the virus into dairy cows and its origin. According to a study released by federal officials, it is believed that wild birds infected a cow in the Texas Panhandle, which was not showing any symptoms at the time. The cows from the infected herd were then shipped to Michigan, where the virus spread rapidly to other states. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the spillover into the dairy cow population.
Wild birds develop immunity to the virus over time and eventually stop spreading it, leading to the burnout of outbreaks. Even in the current situation, this is expected to happen, although it is taking longer than usual.
How is bird flu spreading?
Although the methods of transmission are not entirely comprehended by scientists, it is commonly believed that bird droppings are involved in most cases.
According to Maurice Pitesky, an associate professor in cooperative extension, poultry health, and food safety epidemiology at the University of California Davis, wild waterfowl serve as the primary carriers.
According to Lenoch, the initial four birds in the United States that were found with the virus were wild ducks that were caught by hunters in the Carolinas. He further added that the nation’s duck hunters, who have their own set of safety protocols, have played a vital role in collaborating with authorities to conduct tests on wild waterfowl.
According to Pitesky, there are several ways in which the bird flu virus can be transmitted.
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- Virus spreads from wild bird poop in farm ponds or inside buildings.
- It can become aerosolized and passed in the air.
- A group of free-roaming cats died after contracting the virus from drinking raw milk and showing neurological symptoms.
- Animals eat infected birds.
- Farm employees can track in shavings or dirt that may carry the virus from wetlands and farm fields.
- Farm tractors and other equipment can carry infected materials between farms.
Could climate change play a role in this bird flu outbreak?
One notable distinction between the current outbreak and previous ones is the rise in worldwide average temperatures, which has been particularly evident since the beginning of this outbreak. Interestingly, the previous year marked the record for the hottest year ever recorded, and it seems that this year is following a similar trend.
For years, scientists have been studying the potential connection between climate change and the spread of viral outbreaks and pandemics. One of their major concerns is how warmer temperatures can affect the transmission of viruses, which could contribute to the global spread of pandemics.
Last fall, Prosser co-authored a study that highlighted how the widespread occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza is closely linked to the changing climate patterns and extreme weather events.
It’s difficult to provide a definitive answer regarding the connection between the bird flu outbreak in the U.S. and climate change. According to experts, more research is necessary to gain a better understanding of the situation. On one hand, warmer temperatures may cause flu particles to break down more quickly, ultimately hindering their ability to spread. However, if heat waves lead to changes in food availability or result in increased immune stress among both humans and animals, the virus may have a greater opportunity to spread.
Is shrinking space for birds playing a role?
According to Pitesky, the environment is not only being affected by the warming climate, but also by the encroachment of humans on agricultural and wild landscapes. In fact, this may be an even greater potential factor for environmental change.
As agricultural areas continue to expand and droughts become more prevalent, farms are now being established closer to wild areas, particularly wetlands.
According to Pitesky, the increased production of poultry has led to a decrease in the habitat available for wild waterfowl to roost and feed. This reduction in habitat can have serious consequences, especially if it overlaps with domestic farms that house poultry and cattle. In such cases, the risk of disease transmission increases significantly.
According to him, the state of California has lost 95% of its natural wetlands, mostly due to agricultural activities. While there are undoubtedly advantages to this, especially in terms of providing sustenance for the ever-growing global population, an unfortunate side effect is that waterfowl are now forced to use suboptimal habitats.
