Bird Flu- Are We (not)Safe

Bird flu is just a pretty broad term for any influenza virus that infects birds and birds are the natural reservoir for this virus. There are all kinds of various types of influenza virus H1N1, H5N1 and those are all different combinations of the virus and all those different combinations are out there in wild birds and occasionally we get strains that are more concerning and they can spill over into domestic poultry and cause a lot of disease or spill over into other animals including people.

H5N1 or bird flu is also known as avian influenza. It isn't a new virus. Various forms of it have been circulating since the 1990s. This viral infection, primarily affecting birds, has prompted concerns due to its potential to mutate into strains that can infect humans. A particularly deadly variant that was first detected in 1996 has killed millions of birds and has been found in numerous mammalian species, including seals and mink. But until now, cows were not among the virus's known hosts. Bird flu has been detected in several herds in Idaho and Michigan along the Canadian border.

The Spread of Avian Influenza:

Avian influenza is often transmitted through contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. Wild birds, particularly waterfowl, serve as natural reservoirs for the virus.

According to Dr Scott Weese, is an infectious disease veterinarian at the Ontario veterinary college at the University of Guelph in Guelph, what we're dealing with is a strain of H5N1 that's unprecedented in how it's been moving through wild birds to cows and the other unprecedented thing about the strain is the number of different species that have been infected.

Recent Outbreaks in the US:

In recent years, the US has experienced several outbreaks of avian influenza, impacting both commercial and backyard poultry operations. As a result of these outbreaks, the poultry industry has suffered significant economic losses.

Last week, a dolphin in Florida tested positive for a highly contagious strain of the avian flu. Even though the nationwide outbreak in birds and even cattle. But this is the first time a dolphin has been infected. Researchers found an infected dolphin dead in Florida’s Big Bend region. If the disease spreads, it could be catastrophic for marine life. The CDC says 48 states have seen outbreaks of birds and nearly 100 million chickens and turkeys have been quarantined. And there have been 2 confirmed cases of the strain in humans. Neither have been in Florida.

The CDC is tracking other mammals being infected with the virus. Dozens of red foxes across the upper Midwest have been infected by the Rockies. Some striped skunks and some mountain lions, cousins of the Florida Panther, are also infected.

There are growing concerns about the spread of the avian flu. The FDA announced that traces of the bird flu are showing and samples of grocery store milk now outbreaks have been reported at poultry facilities and America’s largest egg producer is also dealing with the virus.

The reason that we are seeing it right now has to do with how we feed our animals. In the United States, we use parts of chickens, including chicken manure to feed cows. That puts them at risk when we have an outbreak in our birds for contracting this in the cows. And it makes, unlike under other influenza viruses of this class, this might be causing disease in the cows. It affects their milk. And in other mammals that have been affected, and humans.

Dolphins and the large majority of marine life don't consume birds. So, the cause of this infection is still just a theory.

Public Health Concerns:

Influenza viruses are known for their ability to undergo genetic mutations, leading to the emergence of novel strains with pandemic potential. Although human infections with avian influenza are rare, they can be severe. According to Dr. Abrar Coren from Stanford healthcare broad. The outbreak is here with us. We have never seen anything like it before. But the grocery stores were found to be positive for fragments of the virus, but not the live virus.

The reason that's a little bit concerning is that even though milk is still safe to drink, the pasteurization process kills live virus, it does mean that some infected cows are used in the production process. We're not supposed to be taking milk from infected cows even though it is getting pasteurized. But milk is still safe.

The milking process, it's easy to have cross-contamination when cows are being milked. Framers have to clean the milking machines before using them for the next cow but there's always a chance of milk being spread down the line and that's probably how it's been spread within farms and the movement of cattle is suspected to have been the source of how it's moved across the US now it is in Canada.

How do we protect ourselves?

Protecting yourself from bird flu primarily involves practicing good hygiene and taking precautions. Transmission of the virus is primarily through direct contact with infected animals. That was the case when we saw workers in Texas. There isn't effective transmission between humans at this, but again, these viruses change pretty quickly in terms of transmission from food products. If you are in an area where the virus is circulating among birds, here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk:

Avoid close contact with birds: this includes domestic poultry such as chickens and ducks, as well as wild birds. Do not touch sick or dead birds or any kind of sick or dead animal, and avoid visiting live bird markets or farms where bird flu has been reported.

Cook poultry thoroughly: make sure that poultry products, including eggs, meats are cooked properly to kill any viruses that may be present. Do not consume unprocessed foods like raw milk, raw eggs and steak tartare. Cooking poultry to an internal temperature of at least 165°f (74°c) is recommended.

Wash your hands: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after handling poultry or eggs, and before eating or touching your face. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Practice respiratory hygiene: cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing, and dispose of tissues properly. Wash your hands afterwards to prevent the spread of germs.

Avoid touching your face: avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, as this can introduce viruses into your body.

Use protective equipment if necessary: if you work with birds or are in an area where bird flu is circulating or if you are working directly with animals. Use appropriate personal protective equipment such as 95 masks, gloves, eye protection to reduce the risk of exposure.

Stay informed: Stay updated on local health advisories and follow any recommendations or guidelines provided by health authorities regarding bird flu prevention and control measures. By following these precautions, you can reduce your risk of contracting bird flu and protect yourself and others from infection.

Assistant secretary for health and human services and for pandemic preparedness, has commented on the issue of vaccines, saying that they are bringing the stockpile up. But these are based on older virus strains from 2020, so we don't know how effective these vaccines would really be if we need to deploy them, so it's a complicated situation.

Conclusion:

Avian influenza remains a significant threat to both animal and human health in the United States. Bird flu viruses change all the time. They just mutate a little bit and that can make them more or less able to be transmitted between birds or other species. Viruses circulate right, and for some reason the strain really takes off, and sometimes we see changes based on the virus's character.

While efforts to control the spread of the virus have been largely successful, challenges persist due to the dynamic nature of influenza viruses and the interconnectedness of global poultry markets. Continued vigilance, investment in surveillance and research, and collaboration across sectors are essential for mitigating the risks posed by avian influenza and safeguarding public health and food security.