May 16, 2024 – Multiple U.S. agencies are working to contain the recent outbreak of avian influenza amongst cattle to stop further spread to humans (beyond a case reported in early April) and to make use of lessons learned before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain farmworkers and the general public secure.
We keep our fingers crossed, Bird flu can be contained and subside. Or the outbreak could spread further amongst dairy cows and other animals, threatening the health and livelihoods of farmers and others who work with livestock.
Or the virus could change in such a way that it will possibly infect and spread more easily. If this happens, the worst-case scenario could possibly be a brand new flu pandemic.
With so many unknowns, WebMD brought together experts from 4 federal agencies to speak about prevention, surveillance and possible scenarios for bird flu.
Communicating with the general public “about what we know, what we don't know, and how you and your family can stay safe is a priority for us at CDC,” said Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD, CDC deputy director. “We are responding at the federal level and we want the public to follow us.”
For current information, visit the web sites of the CDC, FDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
It's essential not only to remain informed but additionally to search out trusted sources of data, Shah said during “Avian Flu 2024 – What You Need to Know,” a web-based briefing co-sponsored by the CDC and WebMD.
An “experimental hamburger”
The most vital message from this event is that the threat to the general public stays low.
The retail milk supply is secure, although consumption of raw or unpasteurized milk just isn't really helpful. “Although the retail milk supply is safe, we strongly discourage consumption of raw milk,” said Donald A. Prater, DVM, deputy director of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
As with other foods, thoroughly cooked eggs are less dangerous than raw eggs, and the country's beef supply also stays freed from the virus.
For years, federal inspectors have purchased meat at retail and tested it, said Eric Deeble, DVM, assistant secretary of state for the USDA's Office of Congressional Relations. Until now, H5N1, the virus that causes bird flu, has not been detected in beef.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture took its testing a step further, recently cooking ground beef from dairy cows in its lab. Using what Deeble called an “experimental hamburger,” the agency showed that cooking beef at 165 degrees F or more would kill the virus, if that ever became needed.
The federal government now requires that each one cattle be tested and free from bird flu virus before they cross any state borders. The government also reimburses farmers for the associated fee of veterinary care and Loss of business related to the outbreak and supply staff with personal protective equipment (PPE) equivalent to gloves, masks and face shields.
Vaccination currently not really helpful
U.S. government scientists know enough concerning the H5N1 virus to quickly develop vaccines against it if needed. At this point, it's more about planning ahead. “Vaccines are not part of our response right now,” said Dr. David Boucher, director of infectious disease preparedness and response on the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.
If the virus mutates and becomes a greater threat to humans, “we have the building blocks to make a vaccine,” Boucher added.
One attendee on the event asked if the seasonal flu vaccine offers any protection. “Unfortunately, the flu vaccine you got last year doesn't offer much protection against bird flu,” Shah replied. “Maybe it helps a little… but this is the seasonal flu vaccine. This is something new.”
Treatments in stock and prepared
Antiviral drugs that, when administered early in the middle of a bird flu infection, could shorten the severity or duration of the illness are actually available, Shah said. The dairy farmer, who infected with bird flu At the start of the 12 months, Treatment with oseltamivir (Tamiflu)For example.
As for bird flu symptoms, what's interesting is that the one infected person reported to date this 12 months developed conjunctivitis, Shah said. Authorities would have expected to see more typical symptoms. Symptoms of seasonal fluhe added.
“Influenza is not a new virus,” Boucher said. “With this flu virus, we do not see any genetic markers associated with resistance to antivirals. This means that the antivirals we use for seasonal flu would also be available to treat H5N1 if needed.”
ASPR has stockpiled Tamiflu and three other antiviral drugs. “We have tens of millions of doses that we can distribute across the country if we need them,” he added.
“The flu is an enemy we know well,” Boucher said. That's why “we now have antivirals and many types of personal protective equipment ready to go.”
Science in motion
The government won't lose sight of the case and can proceed to watch emergency room visits, laboratory tests and sewage samples to detect any changes that indicate a growing pandemic threat to humanity.
“We have learned a lot, but there are still many things we don’t know,” said Deeble.
Shah added: “As with any outbreak, this is an evolving situation and things can change. What you are seeing now is science in action.”
For current information on bird flu within the United States, visit the CDC website. Avian influenza H5N1: Summary of the current situation Website.