Health
Could a bird flu pandemic spread to humans? Here’s what you need to know
As avian influenza sweeps the nation — infecting greater than 58.3 million poultry and 6,192 wild birds within the U.S. as of Wednesday, per the CDC — infectious illness consultants are watching intently.
Dr. Christian Sandrock, division vice chief of inside medication at UC Davis Well being in Sacramento, California, makes a speciality of infectious illnesses and has researched avian influenza extensively.
Though hen flu is contagious, Dr. Sandrock doesn’t assume it poses a grave hazard to people.
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“It’s predominantly a illness of birds,” he advised Fox Information Digital in a telephone interview.
“It’s quite common amongst wild waterfowl all all over the world, and it could actually leap to domesticated birds, notably turkeys and chickens. It could possibly additionally infect pigs, swine and lots of different animals,” he mentioned.
Chook flu has contaminated greater than 58.3 million poultry and 6,192 wild birds within the U.S. as of this previous Wednesday, the CDC mentioned. (iStock)
That’s to not say people can’t catch it.
Dr. Sandrock confirmed that individuals can contract hen flu — and it’s attainable for them to get sick and even die from it — however he mentioned the virus must change not directly to turn into extremely contagious amongst people.
The contagion danger will increase when a pressure of avian influenza mixes with one other flu virus that’s extra “human-friendly,” a course of known as genetic reassortment, he mentioned. The top result’s a brand new virus that’s stronger and simpler to transmit.
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“A single virus can go from a hen to a human — however the actual risk is while you throw in a single or two different viruses from pigs or people, and that units the stage,” Dr. Sandrock mentioned.
“The influenza virus is great at mutating and recombining.”
Erica Susky, a licensed an infection management practitioner based mostly in Canada, doesn’t rule out the possibility of human transmission.
“The influenza virus is great at mutating and recombining,” she mentioned. “If there are repeated contacts between species that may be contaminated by one kind of influenza viral pressure or one other, there’s an elevated likelihood of a novel pressure that may adapt to transmission in a special species, resembling people.”
The CDC has recognized 5 strains of hen flu which have contaminated people. The pressure that’s at the moment taking the largest toll on the hen inhabitants is H5N1. (AP Photograph/Erin Hooley)
Though it’s nonetheless uncommon for people to catch hen flu, the fatality fee is excessive if it does occur.
In a digital press convention earlier this month, Dr. Sylvie Briand, director of the pandemic and epidemic illnesses division on the World Well being Group (WHO), mentioned that when people are contaminated, they’re extra more likely to have extreme illness.
Though it’s nonetheless uncommon for people to catch hen flu, the fatality fee is excessive if it does occur.
“It’s between a 30-50% case fatality ratio, however once more, these viruses usually are not very transmissible,” Dr. Briand mentioned.
To this point, the CDC has recognized 5 strains of hen flu which have contaminated people: H5N1, H6N1, H7N9, H9N2 and H10N3. The pressure that is at the moment taking the largest toll on the hen inhabitants is H5N1.
As of publication time, there has solely been one human case of H5N1 hen flu within the U.S.
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“Over the previous few weeks, there have been a number of studies of mammals — together with minks, otters, foxes and sea lions — having been contaminated with H5N1 avian influenza,” mentioned WHO Director-Common Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus throughout the February press convention.
“H5N1 has unfold extensively in wild birds and poultry for 25 years, however the latest spillover to mammals must be monitored intently.”
The hen flu outbreak has slashed egg manufacturing, inflicting costs to soar to file highs in 2022. (Reuters/Hannah McKay)
Lisa Steele, a farm proprietor in Maine who tends her personal flock of yard chickens, has been holding a detailed eye on the hen flu outbreak.
“The avian flu is nothing new — it circulates each few years — however typically, it’s solely throughout the wild hen migration season,” she advised Fox Information Digital in an e-mail.
“Final 12 months, the circumstances continued just about all 12 months. It’s a bit regarding that the nice and cozy climate does not appear to lead to a diminished variety of circumstances.”
Individuals who come throughout a sick or lifeless hen ought to keep away from touching it — and make contact with native authorities.
The hen flu outbreak has slashed egg manufacturing, inflicting costs to soar to file highs in 2022.
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The U.S. Division of Agriculture reported that by the top of December 2022, greater than 43 million egg-laying hens had died on account of H5N1.
Steps to attenuate the unfold
Susky mentioned the very best danger of transmission is from direct contact with contaminated birds throughout the means of slaughtering and making ready them.
“One of the simplest ways to attenuate danger is to keep away from contact with birds and wild animals,” she advised Fox Information Digital in an e-mail.
The H5N1 pressure of avian flu has unfold to minks, otters, foxes and sea lions, amongst different mammals.
“These working with birds or different animals, resembling in agriculture, needs to be educated in utilizing protecting gear to attenuate potential publicity to damage from animals, fluids and aerosols — for instance, from dirty bedding and feeds,” Susky mentioned.
“This might embrace handwashing, correct disinfectants, gloves, aprons, eye safety, boot covers, masks and correct services to supply most air exchanges.”
As a result of the illness spreads by wild birds and waterfowl, Steele mentioned it is vital to maintain hen feeders away from hen coops or poultry homes, or take them down altogether if there are lively circumstances within the space.
It is vital to maintain hen feeders away from hen coops or poultry homes, or take them down altogether if there are lively circumstances of hen flu within the space, mentioned one farm proprietor. (iStock)
“Yard hen keepers ought to take additional precautions, resembling holding their chickens indoors or undercover to guard them from hen droppings, which can also unfold the virus,” she mentioned.
Individuals who come throughout a sick or lifeless hen ought to keep away from touching it and make contact with native authorities.
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“Indicators that an animal is in misery embrace irregular conduct, being docile round people, and being present in locations they wouldn’t usually be,” JD Bergeron, CEO of Worldwide Chook Rescue in San Francisco, advised Fox Information Digital.
The CDC will proceed to replace the hen flu information on its web site every Wednesday at 2 p.m. EST.