Bird flu /H5N1 update: 🧵
On April 1, 2024, a Texas resident with exposure to dairy cattle tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1), also known as bird flu and avian influenza. The person was treated and has recovered.
cdc.gov/media/releases…
On April 1, 2024, a Texas resident with exposure to dairy cattle tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1), also known as bird flu and avian influenza. The person was treated and has recovered.
cdc.gov/media/releases…
This incident is separate from a March 2024 report confirming this year’s first U.S. human infected with an influenza virus that normally spreads in pigs and not people. This person also was treated and has recovered.
Despite the recent human case of H5N1, CDC considers this an animal health issue at this time, affecting wild birds, poultry, and some mammals (eg dairy cattle). But the more mammals the virus infects, the more opportunities it has to evolve a strain that is dangerous to humans.
Because of the possibility that bird flu viruses could change and gain the ability to spread easily between people, monitoring for human infection and person-to-person spread is extremely important for public health. CDC is working closely with state and local partners on this.
Increasing numbers and herds of cattle across the U.S. are being impacted.
“Triggers” for larger concern and response would be more human cases, evidence of human to human spread, and greater severity of illness in humans (as this could indicate viral mutation).
“Triggers” for larger concern and response would be more human cases, evidence of human to human spread, and greater severity of illness in humans (as this could indicate viral mutation).
Individuals with close and/or sustained unprotected contact with infected or dead birds, animals, or their contaminated environments are at a greater risk of HPAI A(H5N1) infection, and can help reduce potential spread by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
Avoid contact with poultry, wild birds, and other animals that appear ill or are dead, as well as contact with surfaces that may have been contaminated with their feces.
Avoid consuming uncooked poultry, meat, eggs, and unpasteurized milk.
Avoid consuming uncooked poultry, meat, eggs, and unpasteurized milk.
It remains safe to properly handle and consume cooked poultry, meat, and eggs and drink pasteurized milk in the United States.
The agriculture industry follows rigorous health and safety standards, including monitoring for increases in HPAI A(H5N1).
The agriculture industry follows rigorous health and safety standards, including monitoring for increases in HPAI A(H5N1).
Take proper safety precautions when handling poultry, meat, and eggs. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after touching poultry, meat, and eggs, and keep your cooking surfaces clean.
This is good practice at all times! 🧼 🧽
This is good practice at all times! 🧼 🧽
Common treatments for seasonal influenza, including Tamiflu® or other commercially available FDA-approved prescription treatment drugs, are also effective against HPAI A(H5N1).
If you suspect you may have the flu, isolate from others, and get tested ASAP.
If you suspect you may have the flu, isolate from others, and get tested ASAP.
In summary, @CDCgov considers current risk of Bird Flu / H5N1 to humans to be low. Wash hands, get tested if sick.
If the number of infections from animals to people increases, health officials will alert the public and may change the level of risk assessment.
🐦 🐮 🤒
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If the number of infections from animals to people increases, health officials will alert the public and may change the level of risk assessment.
🐦 🐮 🤒
End 🧵
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