overview
- Four new cases of avian influenza among farm workers in Washington state have been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases in the United States to 31.
- While the risk of the virus mutating and spreading easily between humans is low, experts say continued transmission in cattle is a concern.
- The arrival of influenza season poses additional risks, as viruses can exchange genetic material once they infect a host.
This week, there were four new cases of avian influenza detected among farm workers in Washington state. This is the most recent in a series of human infections seen across the United States as the virus continues to spread among farm animals.
Washington state is the sixth state to report human cases of avian influenza, which is prevalent among wild birds, poultry, and cattle. If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms the positive tests in the state, the total number of confirmed cases in the United States would be at least 31.
Influenza experts have expressed concerns that if the virus remains uncontrolled in animals, the risk of a wider outbreak among humans will continue to increase.
Dr. Amber Eitle, a veterinarian in Washington state, stated, “The longer this virus remains in the environment, infecting more animals and mutating in unpredictable ways, the higher the likelihood it could become the next global pandemic, which is even more alarming.”
As of now, health officials have reported that the virus has not undergone significant genetic changes that would enable it to spread easily among humans.
Washington Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah mentioned during a news conference that there is no evidence of sustained infection in humans, which is a crucial milestone. He added, “That’s when we may realize that the virus is behaving differently.”
On Tuesday morning, a CDC spokesperson stated that a federal team is being dispatched to Washington and the overall risk to the public remains low.
However, the virus is increasingly concerning for farm workers on the front lines. The latest four cases were reported among workers who were tasked with culling birds at a commercial egg farm where an outbreak of avian influenza in chickens had occurred.
According to Dr. Shah, the workers were hired to depopulate or euthanize all the chickens at a farm in Franklin County, southeast Washington, which housed more than 800,000 birds. Dr. Shah mentioned that the workers were fully protected with gear, including Tyvek suits, goggles, and respirators.
One of the affected workers commented on the challenging work conditions, “It’s hot, dusty, with many birds around, and we get exposed to various viruses.”
The four individuals who tested positive after this task reported mild respiratory symptoms and conjunctivitis. It seems conjunctivitis has now been recognized as a common symptom of the infection. No employees required hospitalization.
Dr. Richard Webby, director of the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Center for Animal and Avian Influenza Ecology, noted that the cases in Washington state are part of a broader trend observed across the country, with workers handling sick animals experiencing similar outcomes.
However, a peculiar case in Missouri baffled researchers and health officials as the infected person had no known contact with animals. Investigations are ongoing to determine how this individual contracted the virus.
Mr. Webby highlighted the increasing concern among experts since the virus has been circulating in cattle for the past 10 months. Cattle are mammals and often interact with humans, raising the risk of mutation and potential transmission between people.
The United States is getting ready for the flu season, a time when common influenza spreads more widely during fall and winter. When two influenza viruses infect the same host, they can exchange genetic material and undergo faster mutations.
Dr. Peter Rabinowitz, a Professor at the University of Washington’s Center for One Health Research, emphasized the need to enhance protection measures for farm workers and encourage them to get flu shots.
He stated, “This is a warning. We must provide better protection for our workers.”
In Washington state, poultry cases were expected due to migratory birds passing through in summer and early fall. Recent findings of dead owls and birds of prey suggest wild animals could be infected with the virus.
Wild birds can transmit the virus to farms through various means such as direct contact, feces, saliva, and feed. According to CDC data, over 103 million birds have been affected by the current bird flu outbreak, and the virus has been detected in poultry in 48 states.
Furthermore, 330 dairy herds have been impacted. Although no outbreaks have been reported among dairy producers in Washington state, regular testing is being conducted on dairy farms in the state.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
