Concern about avian influenza, officially known as avian influenza A (H5), continues to grow, especially in California.
According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), as of Oct. 14, there were six confirmed cases of avian influenza in the state and five cases of possible human transmission.
The ministry said all of the infected people had direct contact with infected cows at nine dairy farms.
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is testing five people to confirm possible infection.
As of October 14, there are six confirmed cases of bird flu in California, and five cases of possible human transmission. (St. Petersburg)
All experienced “mild symptoms,” including red eyes and discharge from the eye (conjunctivitis), CDPH said. No one was hospitalized.
According to the agency, there is currently no concern about human-to-human transmission.
“Evidence continues to suggest only animal-to-human transmission of the virus.”
“Given the amount of exposure to infected cattle, evidence continues to suggest only animal-to-human transmission of the virus in California,” CDPH said in a statement.
“Additionally, based on genome sequencing of three California avian influenza cases by the CDC, there is no evidence to suggest that the virus is more infectious or transmissible to humans, nor is it known to be less susceptible to antiviral drugs. .”
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As of October 15, there have been a total of 20 confirmed human cases of avian influenza in the United States, according to the CDC.
The highest number of cases have been reported in Colorado and California, with other cases reported in Michigan, Missouri and Texas, the source said.
Experts say getting the flu vaccine also reduces the chance of contracting the disease from someone who has seasonal influenza and suspects they have avian influenza because of a history of contact with animals. (Jeff Kowalski/AFP via Getty Images)
Approximately half of these were associated with exposure to infected cattle, and the other half were associated with exposure to infected poultry.
“The higher numbers in California and previously Colorado are often due to more aggressive monitoring and case-finding efforts in those states, not necessarily due to a higher disease burden. rather than a reflection of it,” said Dr. Sheila Doron. The chief infection control officer at Tufts Medicine Health System in Boston told Fox News Digital.
“Cases of seasonal influenza will soon increase. There is a need to quickly distinguish between regular influenza and avian influenza, especially in animal workers,” the experts noted. (St. Petersburg)
“California has one of the more comprehensive programs to detect avian influenza in cattle herds, and if we find sick cattle, we monitor infected health care workers,” she continued. Ta.
“Most of the time this disease is very mild, so if you don't look for it, you won't find it.”
Should people be concerned?
According to Delon, it is unclear whether the strain that causes avian influenza in cattle will mutate into a strain that can infect humans.
“At this time, there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission and there is no potential for human pandemic, but that could change,” she told FOX News Digital.
“Scientists and public health officials are clearly concerned and should take action to limit the spread of this disease.” livestock. ”
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Farm owners and farm workers also need to be concerned, she says.
“Measures should be taken to protect people who work closely with animals, especially cows and chickens,” Delon advised.
“Given the low number of cases, no evidence of human-to-human transmission, and most cases of mild infection, it is not yet time for more widespread vaccination,” the experts said. (St. Petersburg)
Dr. Sam Scarpino, director of AI and life sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, said the increase in the number of human H5N1 infections is “concerning.”
“The more human spillover there is, the more likely it is that the wrong variant will be in people and cause an epidemic,” he told Fox News Digital.
However, Scarpino agreed that there is currently no evidence that the virus has mutated to make it more infectious to humans.
“At this time, there is no excuse for farmworkers to die from H5N1 infection.”
“We're probably seeing an effect where an increase in infected dairy farms is leading to an increase in the number of human cases,” he said.
“California is also active in monitoring both humans and dairy cows and may have higher capture rates than other states.”
Precautions for prevention
Although experts say the risk of human-to-human transmission remains low, they recommend certain public health precautions.
“People who come into close contact with animals, especially livestock and wild birds, should take precautions,” Doron advised.
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The CDC also recommends that farm workers wear personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles and face shields, and that farms follow guidance to prevent the spread of the virus between animals.
“Even if a major outbreak is not triggered, the risk to farmworkers is clearly high and we need to make sure they are protected,” Scarpino told FOX News Digital.
“At this time, there is no excuse for farmworkers to die from H5N1 infection.”
All of the cases in California had direct contact with infected cows at nine dairy farms, the health department said. (AP Photo/Vadim Gilda, File)
Experts say it's also important for people to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza.
“It is unlikely to prevent avian influenza, but it will help avoid simultaneous infection with seasonal and avian strains, which could lead to genetic mixing and the emergence of pandemic strains,” Doron said.
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Influenza vaccination also reduces the chance of contracting a patient who has seasonal influenza and suspects avian influenza due to a history of contact with animals, he added.
A vaccine for avian influenza is currently under development.
“Given that the number of cases is small, human-to-human transmission has not been proven, and most infections are mild, it is not yet time for more widespread vaccination,” Doron said.
Approximately half of the infections were associated with exposure to infected cattle, and the other half were associated with exposure to infected poultry. (St. Petersburg)
However, it is important that tests for avian influenza become commercially available.
“Cases of seasonal influenza will soon increase. We need to quickly distinguish between regular influenza and avian influenza, especially among animal workers,” Doron pointed out.
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“Currently, to test for bird flu, samples have to be sent to special public health laboratories and results take several days to come back. We're going to need faster answers to be able to do that.”
The CDC recommends that farm workers wear personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles and face shields, and that farms follow guidance to prevent the spread of the virus between animals. (St. Petersburg)
CDPH recommends California residents monitor themselves for 10 days after exposure for avian influenza symptoms.
These include red eyes (conjunctivitis), sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle or body aches, fatigue, headache, difficulty breathing, and fever.
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“If you begin to feel sick, you should immediately isolate, notify your local public health department, and work with public health and health care providers to seek timely testing and treatment,” the agency advises on its website. There is.
