CDC Confirms Return Of The Deadly Bird Flu Virus Infection In The U.S.
By Ciara Perez, News Reporter | iSkyCreations - News & Media (ISC)
Published July 26th, 2024
ATLANTA, GA – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed three human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) (“H5 bird flu”) virus infection. These new cases are linked to a second poultry farm in Northeast Colorado/Weld County, raising alarm over the escalating threat.
Details of the Outbreak: The three infected individuals were directly handling infected poultry at a commercial egg layer operation. The outbreak has triggered widespread fear as H5 bird flu is known for its deadly potential.
Although these individuals currently exhibit mild illness, the severity of H5 bird flu cannot be underestimated. All three have been given the antiviral drug oseltamivir, but the specter of severe complications looms large. State and local officials are now scrambling to monitor poultry workers across the region.
This marks a separate incident from the earlier outbreak confirmed by the CDC on July 19, which already had two additional human cases. With these new cases, the total number of human infections from the current outbreaks in Colorado has surged to nine, heightening concerns about the virus’s spread and potential for catastrophe.
National Impact: The addition of these cases brings the total number of human H5 bird flu cases in the United States since April 2024 to 13, with 14 cases reported since 2022. The rapid increase in cases underscores the imminent threat posed by this deadly virus.
CDC Response: A CDC multidisciplinary, bilingual field team has been urgently deployed to support Colorado’s response to this dire situation. Despite current data suggesting that the risk to the general public remains low, the CDC is maintaining vigilant surveillance and updating risk assessments continuously.
Health and Safety Recommendations: The CDC urgently advises:
Avoid all unprotected exposure to sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, and other domesticated animals.
Steer clear of animal feces, contaminated bedding, unpasteurized milk, and materials that may have come into contact with infected birds or animals.
Strict adherence to CDC interim recommendations for prevention and monitoring is essential to contain this burgeoning public health threat. The updated guidelines for worker protection and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are critical in reducing individual risk and curbing the outbreak.
Ongoing Investigation: The CDC is investigating compliance with PPE usage among poultry workers, given that most human bird flu infections historically occur in those not wearing adequate protection. Analyzing the virus sequences from this outbreak is also a priority to detect any genetic changes that might increase the risk of human-to-human transmission, which could trigger a widespread health crisis.
The CDC is committed to providing continuous updates as new information surfaces and taking every possible measure to safeguard public health from this alarming threat.
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