Is it safe to eat eggs as avian flu sweeps across the United States? Things to be aware of the danger.

Dairy cows in several states and one individual in Texas have contracted avian influenza. Health officials are quite cautious.

TFD – Explore the recent cases of avian influenza in cattle and a Texas resident. Learn about the precautions advised by the CDC to minimize the risk of avian flu transmission and stay protected.

Early in April, amid a multi-state outbreak of the virus among cows, a dairy worker in Texas tested positive for avian influenza, also known as bird flu. Although the avian flu virus has also been found in raw milk, officials claim there is currently little risk to the general public.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that this is the first time this strain of bird flu, known as highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1), has been found in cattle and the first instance of avian influenza virus transfer from cow to human. The Texas patient is only the second person to have the avian flu reported to the US government.

Health experts are on high alert despite the lack of proof of human-to-human transmission of the highly dangerous H5N1 virus.

A top WHO specialist referred to the possibility of the avian flu spreading to people as “an enormous concern” during a recent press conference. On April 18, Dr. Jeremy Farrar, the chief scientist at WHO, cautioned reporters that mammal infections from bird flu viruses are growing.

According to Farrar, “the main worry is that the virus will continue to evolve and gain the capacity to infect humans and, more importantly, to spread from person to person.”

Is avian flu a current issue?

Across the nation, cows at more than a dozen dairy farms are impacted by the current avian flu outbreak. Health experts are urging for closer surveillance of sick animals and those who come into contact with them, even if the risk to humans is thought to be minimal.

Although the idea of “bird flu” may seem unsettling and heighten concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic, bird influenza is not a recent development.

The H5N1 bird flu virus that is currently causing concern has been circulating globally for a considerable amount of time, according to Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

The CDC reports that H5N1 is creating an ongoing outbreak among poultry in the United States and is prevalent among wild birds.

Bird flu: what is it?

Avian influenza type A viral infection is the cause of bird flu. According to Schaffner, avian influenza A viruses can spread among domestic poultry as well as naturally occur among wild aquatic birds like geese, ducks, and swans.

Occasionally, viruses causing bird flu can infect other mammals, including pigs. “Everyone is aware of the swine flu,” Schaffner remarked. influenza in birds According to the CDC, viruses can also infect dogs, horses, and bats; they sometimes transfer to people.

According to Dr. Hilary M. Babcock, an infectious disease specialist at BJC Healthcare and Washington University of St. Louis, “we have seen an increase in infections in cattle more recently.”

This is the first time the highly deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus, which causes severe and frequently fatal sickness in birds, has been discovered in cows. That’s really uncommon, Schaffner remarked. He did note, though, that cows do not appear to be particularly ill from this H5N1 strain.

Which states are affected by avian flu?

The CDC reports that starting in January 2022, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, including the type of H5N1 that is presently circulating, were found in wild aquatic birds, commercial poultry, and backyard bird flocks in the United States.

The total number of states reporting instances of highly pathogenic H5N1 is 48.

Eight states have been affected by the current H5N1 virus that is impacting cows, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As of April 11, incidences involving dairy cattle have been documented in:

According to experts, there is now only one known case of H5N1 infection in Texas in relation to this pandemic.

According to Babcock, there have only ever been two H5N1 human cases in the United States. The first case was discovered in Colorado in 2022 in a person who had close contact with infected poultry.

Experts predict that as H5N1 surveillance grows, the frequency of illnesses among cows will rise. “We’re searching more diligently now and discovering more cases (among cattle) that would have remained undiscovered even ten years ago,” Schaffner stated.

According to experts, there is little risk to the American public. The World Health Organization stated in a statement that the risk is regarded as “low-to-moderate” for those who are exposed because of their line of work.

How is the avian flu transmitted to people?

“Humans can contract the bird flu virus occasionally, but it’s uncommon,” Schaffner stated. The CDC states that there are several methods in which avian influenza viruses might transfer from infected animals to humans:

Birds that are infected may secrete the virus in their feces, mucus, nasal secretions, and saliva. According to Schaffner, an adequate quantity of the virus can enter the mouth, nose, eyes, or respiratory system and infect a person.

Human-to-human transmission usually happens when contaminated birds are in close proximity to humans without protective gear. According to the CDC, it can also happen if someone touches contaminated surfaces and puts their hands in their mouths or eyes, or if they breathe in airborne droplets.

Experts add that it was unclear at first how the Texas patient contracted the infection from the dairy cow. According to Babcock, the sole other individual to have contracted H5N1 in the United States was a direct participant in the culling of birds thought to be infected with the virus.

Worldwide, reports of sporadic H5N1 instances in humans have been made; these cases are typically found in rural areas where people coexist closely with chickens or other birds. The WHO reports that since 2003, H5N1 has killed 463 people and caused 889 cases in 23 different countries.

“It is almost never spread to anyone else” once a human has contracted bird flu, according to Schaffner. But “very infrequently, transmission from an extremely ill person with bird flu to a family member or caregiver occurs.”

According to the CDC, there hasn’t been any human-to-human transmission of the modern H5N1 viruses that are circulating in birds.

When this occurs, Schaffner explained, “the virus doesn’t have the (genetic) capacity to spread easily from person to person,” which prevents further dissemination between individuals.

“Fortunately, this type of bird flu has not developed the ability to move easily from person to person in its roughly ten years of existence. Schaffner stated, “That should be reassuring, but it also keeps us in public health vigilant.

Is avian flu transmissible through eggs?

It is safe to consume eggs, poultry, and beef as well as drink pasteurized milk; there is no proof that eating food that has been properly prepared and cooked can spread the bird flu, according to specialists.

According to Babcock, “we have not observed any cases resulting from consuming animal products or animals that may have been infected.”

According to Schaffner, the dairy cow herds that have been found to be contaminated are under quarantine, and their milk is being disposed of.

The United States’ commercial milk supply is still safe, according to a statement from the USDA. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, pasteurized cheese and other pasteurized milk products are safe as of right now.

According to Babcock, “the pasteurization process in the United States keeps our milk supply very safe.” The process of pasteurization raises the temperature of milk to a point where bacteria and viruses, including influenza, are killed.

According to Schaffner, consuming unpasteurized or “raw” milk—a practice that is becoming more and more popular—is linked to a number of infectious illness risks. “I advise against consuming raw milk,” he continued.

According to the FDA, there is little chance that humans could contract H5N1 from eating eggs from contaminated poultry because precautions are taken to detect affected birds and take their eggs off the market.

Products from affected animals may find their way into the food chain, although Babcock stressed that there is still very little risk to people. Food should be cooked and stored properly to further lower that risk.

While there is no connection between this incidence and beef cattle, Schaffner advises cooking meat to a safe internal temperature. Cooking eggs until the white and yolk are hard is advised by the FDA.

According to Babcock, there are further reasons why eating raw meat or eggs is not a good idea because they might harbor a variety of viruses.

What would happen if the avian flu struck a human?

Experts point out that human cases of bird flu can vary widely in severity. The CDC states that while some patients experience none or very minor symptoms, others experience severe illness.

According to Schaffner, “it can be a serious infection with a high mortality rate.”

According to the CDC, the Texas patient just had eye redness as a symptom of a minor infection. Not even a respiratory infection was the cause. According to Schaffner, it was either pink eye or conjunctivitis.

Flu antivirals were used to treat the patient, who is now on the mend. “This avian influenza strain is treatable with antiviral medications—the same ones we use to treat the common flu,” Schaffner stated.

According to Babcock, the second human case of H5N1 in the United States in 2022 was also a mild infection.

Human signs and symptoms of avian flu

Experts and the CDC state that the following are examples of human signs and symptoms of avian influenza:

According to Babcock, human cases of bird flu may resemble common flu or upper respiratory infections, or a person may not exhibit any symptoms at all. In addition, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and other issues may result from it. “The range is complete,” she continued.

The CDC states that a bird flu infection cannot be identified only by symptoms. Testing in a lab is necessary.

Is recovery possible from bird flu?

It is possible to recover from avian flu. The latest Texas infection was treated with flu antivirals, and the patient is on the mend. The 2022 infection patient from Colorado made a full recovery.

The CDC reports that avian flu symptoms have varied globally, from mild to severe and in some cases fatal.

How to stop the avian flu from spreading

Despite the minimal chance of contracting avian flu, the CDC advises taking the following precautions: