Avian influenza A(H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, is infecting cows across the U.S. Recent research has shown that the virus can remain infectious in unpasteurized milk and on milking equipment for at least an hour, raising concerns for dairy workers’ safety. This finding highlights the importance of pasteurization and proper safety measures for handling infected cows.
Recent bird flu infections in Mexico and India have raised concerns about the potential for a pandemic. We spoke to Dr. Shahid Jameel, a leading virologist, to understand the threat posed by bird flu viruses to humans. He explains the transmission pathways, the role of the immune system, and the potential for adaptation of the virus to mammals. Dr. Jameel also discusses the availability of vaccines and the possibility of long-term effects.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a case of human infection with the H9N2 bird flu virus in a four-year-old child in West Bengal, India. The child had been exposed to poultry and had severe respiratory issues, high fever, and abdominal cramps. This is the second human case of H9N2 bird flu in India, with the first being in 2019. Meanwhile, in Australia, supermarket chain Coles has imposed a limit of two cartons of eggs per day per customer due to the spread of avian influenza virus. The H7N3 strain of avian influenza has been detected at a fifth farm in Victoria, leading to the euthanization of over half a million chickens and the destruction of around 450,000 eggs daily. Worldwide, cases of bird flu have been reported in Mexico and the US.
The Philippines has imposed a ban on the importation of birds and poultry products from Australia in response to recent outbreaks of bird flu in the country. The ban, which takes effect immediately, includes all types of wild and domestic birds, as well as poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen. Australia was previously the Philippines’ fourth-largest source of chicken meat imports, accounting for 4% of the total volume. The ban comes amid growing concerns about the spread of H5N1 bird flu, which has recently been detected in wild birds and poultry farms in several countries. The virus has been known to infect humans, and a recent study found that it is now able to spread between cattle and humans.
A 59-year-old man in Mexico has died from a strain of bird flu called H5N2, marking the first known human infection with this strain. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an alert, as scientists monitor the virus for signs of adaptation to humans. Despite no known exposure to poultry, the man developed symptoms and later tested positive for H5N2. Health officials are investigating the source of infection and monitoring for further cases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the first human fatality from the H5N2 variant of bird flu. The patient, a 59-year-old Mexican with underlying health conditions, passed away on April 24th after experiencing fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and nausea. The WHO emphasizes that the patient had no known exposure to poultry or other animals. The source of the infection remains unknown, despite reported H5N2 outbreaks among poultry in Mexico’s Michoacan and State of Mexico regions. The WHO assesses the risk to humans as low, noting that no human-to-human transmission has been detected, unlike the H5N1 variant that has affected dairy cows and a limited number of humans in the United States.
Health authorities in the United States have reported a second case of human bird flu infection, this time in Michigan. The infected individual, a farmworker, had regular exposure to livestock that had contracted bird flu. After experiencing symptoms, the patient was tested and confirmed to have the A(H5) virus. Despite the diagnosis, the farmworker has since recovered. Health officials emphasize that the risk of contracting bird flu for the general public remains low.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified a second human case of bird flu linked to the ongoing outbreak on U.S. dairy farms. Both cases involved dairy workers exposed to cows infected with the H5N1 avian influenza strain, which has been detected in cattle in nine states. While raw milk from infected cows has tested positive for the virus, no human infections have been linked to consuming it. The CDC maintains that the risk to the general public remains low, but recommends avoiding close contact with sick or dead animals, their waste, or unpasteurized milk from infected sources.
Health experts warn against consuming raw milk to gain immunity from bird flu, citing potential health risks and increased risk of virus transmission to humans. Despite these warnings, some proponents of raw milk remain unfazed, claiming that pasteurization is harmful. However, officials emphasize the low risk to the general public, the limited evidence on transmission through dairy products, and the need for ongoing research.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), approximately one in five retail samples of commercial milk have exhibited traces of bird flu. This follows the initial detection of avian flu in Texan herds in March, which has since spread to over three dozen herds across eight states. However, the FDA emphasizes that milk remains safe to consume, based on current retail milk studies. To address the ongoing outbreak, dairy cattle must now undergo testing and receive negative results before crossing state lines. Herds carrying the virus have been identified in Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and South Dakota. The FDA also reports that egg producers are on high alert after chickens tested positive for the virus in Texas and Michigan, but the risk of human infection remains low.
