The first severe case of avian influenza has been confirmed, and the spread of avian influenza to 16 states in the United States has attracted attention
California officials have declared a state of emergency due to the rampant spread of avian influenza. This virus not only spreads widely among cows, but also causes sporadic cases of infection among the American public.
This news has sparked a new round of attention towards the avian influenza virus. For many years, the virus has been spreading in wild birds, commercial poultry, and various mammals.
The type A H5N1 virus was first discovered in American dairy cows in March of this year. Since then, the virus has rapidly spread to 16 states and has been confirmed in at least 866 herds.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, over 60 people have been infected with avian influenza virus, with most cases showing mild symptoms. But the Louisiana Department of Health revealed this week that a patient in the state has been hospitalized due to infection with the virus, marking the first known case of severe illness caused by avian influenza virus in the United States.
Why did California take emergency measures? California Governor Gavin Newson stated that declaring a state of emergency is to more effectively allocate state workers and supplies in response to the spread of avian influenza.
California has been working hard to detect avian influenza virus in large milk cans. At present, the virus has been found in at least 650 cattle herds, accounting for about three-quarters of all affected dairy herds in the United States. Since August, the virus has spread from the Central Valley of California to dairy farms in Southern California.
Newson stated in a statement, "This announcement aims to ensure that government agencies can quickly access the resources and flexibility needed to respond to the pandemic
What are the risks faced by the public? CDC officials reiterated this week that the risk posed by avian influenza virus to the public is relatively low. There are currently no reports of human to human transmission, and there is no indication that the virus has mutated and is more likely to spread among humans.
Influenza experts generally believe that it is too early to determine the trajectory of the epidemic. We are still unable to determine the specific direction of the epidemic, "said Richard Webb, a flu specialist at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
However, virus experts remain cautious about this. Due to the constantly mutating nature of influenza virus, small genetic changes may alter the prospects of the epidemic.
Is the case showing a worsening trend? This week, health officials confirmed the first severe case of avian influenza in the United States. Prior to this, all cases in the United States (about 60 cases) were usually mild.
The critically ill patient in Louisiana is over 65 years old and has underlying illness. It is reported that the patient developed severe respiratory symptoms after coming into contact with a group of sick birds in the backyard. This is the first confirmed case of infection related to backyard birds in the United States.
The test results showed that the virus strain that caused the person's illness was found in wild birds, not in cows. Similarly, Canadian health officials reported last month that a teenager in British Columbia was hospitalized due to infection with a strain of avian influenza virus in wild birds.
In the United States, almost all previous cases of infection occurred among farm workers who had direct contact with infected cows or poultry. But in two cases - one adult in Missouri and one child in California - health officials have not yet determined the route of infection.
Angela Rasmussen, a virus expert at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, pointed out that as the number of infections increases, there may be more severe cases of the disease.
Since 2003, nearly 1000 cases of disease caused by H5N1 have been reported globally, with over half of the infected individuals having died. Rasmussen said, "I think every H5N1 virus can be very serious and deadly
How to protect oneself? The CDC and other experts suggest that people who come into contact with cows, commercial poultry, or backyard birds are at higher risk and should take preventive measures, including wearing respiratory and eye protection equipment as well as gloves.
Michael Osterholm, a public health expert at the University of Minnesota, pointed out that "if birds start to get sick or die, extra care should be taken when dealing with these animals
In order to protect farm workers from the impact of seasonal influenza and prevent them from being infected with two types of influenza at the same time, which could cause the avian influenza virus to mutate and become more dangerous, the CDC has paid for the flu vaccine. The government also stated that farm workers who have close contact with infected animals should be tested and provided with antiviral drugs even if they do not show symptoms.
How is avian influenza spread? In addition to direct contact with farm animals and wild birds, the H5N1 virus can also be transmitted through raw milk. But the US Food and Drug Administration points out that pasteurized milk is safe to drink because heat treatment can kill viruses.
However, high levels of virus were found in unpasteurized milk. After the virus was detected in farms and products, the raw milk sold in California stores has been recalled in recent weeks.
In Los Angeles County, two indoor cats fed with recalled raw milk died from avian influenza infection. Officials are investigating more reports about sick cats.
Health officials urge people to avoid drinking raw milk because, in addition to avian influenza, raw milk can also spread large amounts of bacteria.
In response to the epidemic, the US Department of Agriculture has strengthened the testing of raw milk nationwide to help detect and contain the spread of the epidemic. A federal order issued this month requires testing work, which has been implemented in 13 states this week.
Source: ZAKER