Federal health officials and researchers are increasingly alarmed by the emergence of bird flu in livestock. Recent confirmations of the virus in dairy herds throughout the United States have added to their fears. Seema Lakdawala, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Emory University School of Medicine, was surprised to discover that cows can get this virus. She pointed out the huge impact this has for animal and public health. The new virus first announced on January 7, 2020. It spread like wildfire, forcing the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a pandemic by March 11, 2020 when cases topped more than 118,000 in 114 countries.
Our timeline of the bird flu outbreak has revealed important turning points. The initial proof of human-to-human transmission appeared on January 14, 2020. Experts like William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, have reassured the public that while the virus is concerning, “clearly it is not able to multiply and be transmitted person-to-person efficiently.” As of May 6, 2024, the US has reported 70 confirmed cases of avian influenza among humans, with one death. This dire circumstance has led to increased scrutiny over how the virus may be spreading.
The Scope of the Outbreak
Good health officials are out there doing all the right things. At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that 41 US cases are associated with exposure to infected dairy herds. As of early May 2024, the federal government has confirmed outbreaks in 17 states, impacting 1,049 dairy herds. These figures are the first indicators of a worrying trend, one that lots of experts think is even much bigger than the original estimate.
Kamran Khan, an infectious disease specialist, stated that “the extent of H5N1 in livestock was probably larger and more expansive than was understood at the time.” This view is consistent with our summer’s research. The study’s authors concluded that 7% of the 115 dairy workers tested positive for antibodies to the virus. Its increasing use in livestock is concerning enough given the potential risk to human health.
Seema Lakdawala has spoken about the importance of educating the public on food safety. She cautioned people against drinking unpasteurized milk or cheese, since pasteurization kills the virus. Furthermore, she advised taking down and disinfecting bird feeders. “No, no, no. Call your state department of agriculture and tell them you think we need to control H5N1 in cows,” she advised.
Public Health Response and Challenges
And yet, as experts such as Lakdawala have pointed out, even with the gravity of the crisis there weren’t adequate immediate public health responses implemented. She remarked that “the immediate response was not very strong and is still not strong,” highlighting a lag in action that could hinder effective management of the virus’s spread. Rachael Piltch-Loeb, a public health expert, echoed these concerns by stating that changes to public health funding have “inhibited our ability to even keep tracking bird flu.”
Piltch-Loeb raised concerns about communication strategies surrounding bird flu: “We have limited situational awareness, and we are not communicating with the public about the topic.” This intentional lack of transparency promotes obfuscation and confusion. It further fosters distrust in the communities that most need to hear unequivocal direction on health protective measures.
As new cases appear, experts are demanding increased surveillance efforts and better accountability from public health agencies. The US Department of Agriculture, National Milk Testing Strategy Program, uses methods to allow more on-farm herd monitoring. As of this writing, 45 out of these 48 continental states are signed up for this program.
Future Implications and Preventative Measures
The risk of the bird flu virus evolving further mutations, even more concerning, completes the trifecta on this unprecedented and rapidly evolving situation. As Lakdawala noted, “Right now, we know that the virus can infect and replicate inside humans.” This leads to speculation about how much else needs to be changed to allow for better human-to-human transmission. “It could be a variety of mutations that need to happen,” she added.
It’s anyone’s guess as to how quickly these mutations could happen, and views differ widely among the experts. Khan highlighted this unpredictability: “The reality is none of us knows whether this is next week, next year, or never.” This uncertainty just highlights how crucial it is to be prepared and stay on the lookout for possible outbreaks.
In anticipation of possible developments, Schaffner stated that if human-to-human transmission increases, “vaccines would be the single most effective way we would combat this pandemic should it occur. The template for making bird flu vaccine is in place.” This proactive strategy can be instrumental in addressing threats posed by the next outbreak.
Like health experts always suggest – especially in flu season – simply getting vaccinated is a great way to protect yourself from the bird flu and other diseases. Schaffner suggested simple actions like scrubbing refillable bird feeders before refilling them with grains and nuts to reduce risks associated with wild birds.
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