A highly pathogenic strain of bird flu, known as H5N1, is now affecting commercial poultry, livestock, and humans. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed outbreaks in dairy cows in four states and an unconfirmed case in a fifth, marking the first time this strain has been identified in cattle. An employee on one of the impacted dairy farms also contracted the virus, making it the second human case. While the CDC states that the risk to public health remains low, there is still much about the virus that is unknown.
H5N1 is a type of highly pathogenic avian influenza that started to spread across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe in the early 2000s. It reached North America in late 2021 and has since been detected in almost 10,000 cases across all 50 states. Wild birds can carry the virus without appearing ill and spread it through contact with other birds or communal food and water sources. Waterbirds like geese, ducks, and swans are common carriers of the virus, while other birds like pigeons, crows, robins, sparrows, and cardinals are not known to carry harmful strains of bird flu.
The H5N1 outbreak has impacted commercial poultry since early 2022, causing cases in over 82 million farmed birds and creating the worst bird flu outbreak in American history. Almost 2.5 million birds from commercial and backyard flocks have been affected this year alone. The virus has been found in cattle in four states, with another suspected case awaiting confirmation. While it is often fatal for birds, symptoms among cattle are more mild and include a loss of appetite, low-grade fevers, and decreased milk production. Infected cows produce thick, discolored milk containing viral H5N1 cells.
Up until recently, there was only one human case of H5N1 reported in a Colorado state inmate in 2022. The second case involved an employee on a Texas farm with confirmed cases among cattle, who experienced conjunctivitis as the primary symptom. While human cases are rare and primarily affect those working with infected animals, the fatality rate exceeds 50 percent. The CDC maintains that there is a low public health risk, as there have been no identified cases of human-to-human transmission.
The CDC advises avoiding undercooked poultry and eggs to prevent any potential risk of contracting bird flu. Commercially processed milk is still considered safe for consumption, as the dairy industry is required to pasteurize their product to kill pathogens. The USDA states that the limited scope of H5N1 cases in cattle and higher production rates should not affect the milk supply or lead to a spike in dairy prices. Consumers are encouraged to stick to pasteurized dairy products and avoid unpasteurized, or raw, milk to minimize the risk of consuming harmful pathogens.
In conclusion, while the H5N1 strain of bird flu poses challenges for commercial poultry, livestock, and humans, public health officials are working to understand and mitigate the spread of the virus. Strict health and safety standards in the American poultry and dairy industries, along with efforts to cull infected animals and pasteurize dairy products, aim to protect consumers and prevent widespread illness. By following guidelines for safe food consumption and staying informed about the evolving situation, individuals can help reduce the risk of exposure to H5N1.
