Five Contract Bird Flu in Colorado
The Colorado public health department reported on July 14 that five employees of a poultry farm in the northeastern part of the state tested positive for bird flu, pushing the total known cases in the U.S. to nine this year.
Potential Infection Source
The infected individuals were likely exposed to the virus while culling chickens following a bird flu outbreak on their farm. Since early 2022, a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu has infected more than 99 million chickens and turkeys across several U.S. poultry farms.
Federal Government Response to Outbreak
To contain the outbreak, the federal government has authorized over $1 billion to compensate farmers for the massive culling of infected flocks and eggs. This is a necessary measure to prevent this highly contagious disease from spreading.
Decades of H5N1 Bird Flu Virus
The H5N1 bird flu virus, which has afflicted poultry farms worldwide for nearly 30 years, has infected an estimated 900 people, of which about half have lost their lives to this deadly disease.
Bird Flu Shifts to Cattle
In an alarming development, the H5N1 virus has exhibited an unusual shift. It infected dairy cattle in the U.S., which suggests it has adapted to replicate within cow cells that are structurally similar to human cells. The other four individuals diagnosed with bird flu in 2022 were exposed to the virus on dairy farms that had reported outbreaks.
Pandemic Concerns
Scientists are warning that the virus may mutate to become transmittable from person to person, much like the common flu. This scenario could potentially spark a pandemic. Fortunately, no such transmission has been observed so far.
Mild Symptoms Reported
Each of the nine cases reported this year exhibited mild symptoms, including eye irritation, runny nose, and other respiratory issues. However, with such a small sample size, it’s difficult to form definitive conclusions about the severity of the disease. In most flu strains, only a minority of infected individuals require hospitalization.
Undetected Cases
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has tested barely 60 people in the last quarter, leaving the possibility that the actual count of bird flu infections may be much higher. Extensive testing amongst farm workers and their animals is crucial to detect the presence of the H5N1 virus, study it, and eradicate it before it becomes endemic within farms.
Need for Increased Prevention Measures
Researchers advocate for a more proactive approach by the CDC and other federal institutions in preventing future infections. Many who work with livestock and poultry lack the necessary protective gear and education about this threat. Additionally, they lack access to a bird flu vaccine.
Controversy Over Vaccination
About a dozen virology and outbreak specialists have disputed the CDC’s decision not to recommend vaccination. Vaccination could substantially reduce the incidence of bird flu and prevent hospitalization.
Stockpiling Vaccines Against a Potential Pandemic
The United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, and nearly a dozen other countries are stockpiling millions of doses of bird flu vaccine from the firm CSL Seqirus in anticipation of a potential pandemic. Despite the global preparation, the CDC controversially chose not to offer the vaccine to at-risk groups, justifying their decision with the low rate of infection and absence of human-to-human transmission.
CDC’s Handling of the Situation
The CDC maintains the public’s risk is low, although this assessment may be revised as they evaluate the new bird flu cases in Colorado. Dedicated to health awareness and prevention, the CDC urges everyone keeping a close eye on developments and updates on the bird flu situation.