Nothing like this has happened in the past and the question is what has changed?. "Just a lot . The data also reveals a shift from a seasonal to a year-round disease. An avian influenza outbreak has been detected in the West African nations of Senegal and The Gambia. How do we track it in wild birds? University of Colorado Boulder virologists Sara Sawyer, Emma Worden-Sapper and Sharon Wu summarize the compelling story of H5N1 and why scientists are closely watching the outbreak. Northern pintail ducks are among the types of birds that H5N1 bird flu virus infections have been identified in the United States in 2022. And we now have the highest amount of poultry loss to avian influenza, so this is a worst-case scenario," she added. CDCand USDA have developed guidance for specific audiences, including the, A handout containing information and guidance for people exposed to birds with bird flu is available at, More information about how to protect yourself against bird flu is. The worst outbreak of avian influenza on record is threatening to stretch into a second year, as the U.S. races to contain a virus that has already caused some food prices to soar amid a shortage . hide caption. Globally since 2003, countries have reported rare, sporadic human infections with H5N1 bird flu viruses to the World Health Organization (WHO). By the end of December, more than 43 million egg-laying hens were lost to the disease itself or to depopulation since the . The H5N1 avian influenza virus is causing the largest bird flu outbreak in history, infecting millions of birds and a growing range of mammal species. Receptors are the molecules on the surface of host cells that a virus exploits to enter those cells. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses can severely affect domestic animal, wildlife, and sometimes human health.. Outbreaks of Eurasian lineage highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses have been impacting domestic poultry and wild bird populations in Europe and Asia since August 2020. U.S. Considers Vaccinating Chickens Amid Bird Flu Outbreak - The New CDC twenty four seven. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. The virus can take commercial poultry farms out of commission for extended periods. Current U.S. Bird Flu Situation in Humans | Avian Influenza (Flu) - CDC CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails. The viruss prevalence in the wild presents new challenges for its containment. No, thats not necessary. That includes millions of chickens and turkeys in barns and backyards that had been raised to provide eggs or meat. Learn more about the latest avian influenza situation in the United States and globally. But its impact on humans is complicated. . Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change. As those birds traveled, so did the virus. We call this process the four Ds of outbreak control: diagnosis, depopulation, disposal and decontamination. Peru decreed a 90-day health emergency in December 2022 after more than 13,000 pelicans died on its beaches, possibly infected with H5N1. Yuko Sato, The Conversation The researchers collected samples from 1,079 wild birds and 132 gray seals and harbor seals stranded along the North Atlantic coast from Jan. 20 to July 31, 2022. Outbreaks have become more common due to the high density and frequent movement of flocks from intensive poultry production. The U.S. is enduring an unprecedented poultry health disaster, with a highly contagious bird flu virus triggering the deaths of some 52.7 million animals. The dynamics of the spread of avian influenza viruses are very complex. The virus of concern in this outbreak is a Eurasian H5N1 HPAI virus that causes high mortality and severe clinical signs in domesticated poultry. Wild birds like ducks transmit the virus, known as highly pathogenic avian influenza, through their feces, feathers or direct contact with poultry. The primary natural hosts and reservoir of AI viruses are wild waterfowl, such as ducks and geese. It hasnt been confirmed definitively whether the sea lions are spreading the virus to each other or are contracting it from birds or H5N1-infected water. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. The spread of bird flu viruses from one infected person to a close contact is very rare, and when it has happened, it has not led to continued spread among people. Human infections with bird flu viruses can happen when virus gets into a persons eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled. That was also true of the last H5N1 outbreak in the U.S. in 2014 and 2015. Outbreaks have had a devastating impact on poultry farmers, who are often forced to cull entire flocks in case of infection to stop the disease from spreading. This is because bird influenza viruses must mutate in several ways to infect mammals efficiently. The more than 50,000 mink at the facility were killed and their carcasses destroyed. ", The long outbreak is discouraging, Hagerman says: "If we look at Europe, we can see that they are on two years of HPAI outbreaks. The virus does not pose a special risk in the nation's food supply, given proper handling. But lab tests soon revealed something scarier: a deadly avian influenza virus named H5N1. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/what-consumers-need-to-know-about-the-avian-flu-outbreak, As avian flu spreads, North American zoos take precautions to protect birds, Americans may soon pay more for milk, cheese as rising heat stresses livestock, For Midwest farmers, floodwaters threaten millions in crop and livestock losses, outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, depression, coughing and sneezing and sudden death, the risk to public health from this outbreak is low, last H5N1 outbreak in the U.S. in 2014 and 2015, travel thousands of miles between continents, eradicate HPAI quickly after it is detected. So far, current H5N1 bird flu viruses lack changes seen in the past that have been associated with viruses spreading easily among poultry, infecting people more easily, and causing severe illness in people. For more details, review our .chakra .wef-12jlgmc{-webkit-transition:all 0.15s ease-out;transition:all 0.15s ease-out;cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:none;color:inherit;font-weight:700;}.chakra .wef-12jlgmc:hover,.chakra .wef-12jlgmc[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.chakra .wef-12jlgmc:focus,.chakra .wef-12jlgmc[data-focus]{box-shadow:0 0 0 3px rgba(168,203,251,0.5);}privacy policy. The bird flu surge has also . HPAI viruses cause high mortality in poultry, and occasionally in some wild birds. Thats when production of eggs is hammered.. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. By University of Colorado Boulder Saving Lives, Protecting People, 1 case in U.S. after exposure to infected birds, Human Infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in Chile, Human Infection with Avian Influenza A(H3N8) Virus Reported by China, Technical Report: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses, If you have contact with infected birds and become sick, Clinician, laboratorian or public health worker, Highlights in the History of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Timeline 2020-2023, Avian Influenza: Information for Health Professionals and Laboratorians, USDA: Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, USDA: Distribution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in North America, Technical Report: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses (cdc.gov), Human Infection With Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Chile (cdc.gov), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Bird Flu Detections Reporting in Wild Birds, Bird Flu Detections Reporting in Backyard and Commercial Birds, Frequently Asked Questions about Avian Influenza, Spread of Bird Flu Viruses Between Animals and People, Past Examples of Probable Limited, Non-Sustained, Person-to-Person Spread of Avian Influenza A Viruses, Reported Human Infections with Avian Influenza A Viruses, Information for People Exposed to Birds Infected with Avian Influenza Viruses of Public Health Concern, Recommendations for Worker Protection and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Self-Observation Instructions for Demobilizing Bird Flu Responders, Highlights in the History of Avian Influenza, Questions & Answers: H5N1 Genetic Change Inventory, Interim Guidance on Testing, Specimen Collection, and Processing for Patients with Suspected Infection with Novel Influenza A Viruses with the Potential to Cause Severe Disease in Humans, Diagnostics for Detecting H7N9 Using rRT-PCR, Infection Control Within Healthcare Settings for Patients with Novel Influenza A Viruses, For Clinicians: Evaluating and Managing Patients, Use of Antiviral Medications for Treatment of Human Infections with Novel Influenza A Viruses, Antiviral Chemoprophylaxis of Persons Exposed to Birds with Avian Influenza A Viruses, Follow-up of Close Contacts of Persons Infected with Novel Influenza A Viruses and Use of Antiviral Chemoprophylaxis, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. More than 60% of U.S. broiler . U.S. Approaches Record Number of Avian Influenza Outbreaks "The bird populations haven't seen viruses like this before," Webby says, "so in terms of their immune response, they're all immunologically nave to this" influenza virus. Why this bird flu is different: Scientists say new avian influenza Ask the Expert: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses. Infected poultry or eggs do not enter the food supply chain. Government officials are studying infections atturkey farms, in particular, in hopes of developing new recommendations for preventing infections. Total case counts for all human infections with H5N1 viruses reported since 1997 are. And if the outbreak lingers into spring, infections could become even more difficult to prevent as a new wave of bird migrations begin. Hagerman warns that in a time of inflationary pressure and supply-chain snags, it can be hard to directly link a price hike to the virus. Scientists Investigate a Bird Flu Outbreak in Seals Well, whod have thought it? Rescued chickens gather in an aviary at Farm Sanctuary's Southern California Sanctuary on Oct. 5 in Acton, Calif. A wave of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu has entered Southern California, driven by wild bird migration. An outbreak of avian influenza in seabirds in the Gambia could affect vast numbers of birds migrating along the East Atlantic Flyway, unless international funding is secured, warn conservationists. Better known as the bird flu, avian influenza is a group of flu viruses that is well adapted to birds. After several weeks without new virus detections, the area is required to test negative in order to be deemed free of infection. Saving Lives, Protecting People, Current U.S. Bird Flu Situation in Humans. Avian influenza is not transmissible by eating properly prepared and cooked poultry, so eggs and poultry are safe to eat. A University of Maryland (UMD)-led team of researchers tracked the arrival and progression of the deadly bird flu (H5N1) in North America to determine how this outbreak is different from previous ones. Six main hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes of bird flu viruses have infected people to cause acute respiratory illness (H3, H5, H6, H7, H9, and H10 viruses). If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. Yuko Sato, The Conversation. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230419125054.htm (accessed April 30, 2023). World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use. Although declaring a disease endemic is a complicated process, the authors of the study suggest that the U.S. will likely follow patterns seen in Europe where highly pathogenic avian influenza is already being treated as an endemic disease rather than something that can be eradicated. Human Infection caused by Avian Influenza A (H5N1) - Chile - WHO Over the last few years, a new variant of H5N1 has spread widely through wild and domestic bird populations around the world. What you need to know about the avian influenza outbreak Left: Avian influenza A (H5N1) was first detected in the Region of the Americas in birds in December 2014. For commercial and backyard flocks, many early infections centered along the intersection of the Central and Mississippi flyways of migratory wild birds. Avian Influenza | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - FWS.gov March 6, 2023. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. "Why this bird flu is different: Scientists say new avian influenza requires urgent coordinated response." Though most cases were detected in Oregon, positive . ", Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak: Watch Out for These Super Spreader Bird Species, US Bird Flu Outbreak Is Killing Millions of Chickens and Turkeys, Resurgence of Bird Flu Avian Influenza Virus Raises Concern With Experts, Twindemic Threat: Ominous Flu Season Paired With COVID What You Need To Know About Vaccination, National Poll: 1 in 3 Parents Plan to Skip Flu Shots for Their Kids During COVID-19 Pandemic, Flu Mutation Study: Universal Flu Vaccine May Be More Challenging Than Expected, Scientists Create Phage Capsid Nanoparticles That Prevent Viral Infection, Your First Battle With Flu Matters Most Heres Why, Divergent Thought Processes: Why Some People Feel Lonely, Even in a Crowded Room, Mysterious Class of Strange Metals Yields Quantum Secrets, Mathematics Behind Wiggly Worm Knots Could Inspire Shapeshifting Robotics, Sticky Situation: Critical Antenna on ESAs Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer Fails To Deploy, Just Add Water Stanford Researchers Have Discovered a Simple and Eco-Friendly Way To Make Ammonia, Defying the Eddington Limit: NASA Unveils the Secret Behind Ultra-Luminous X-Ray Sources, Skincredible: MITs Wearable Patch Revolutionizes Drug Delivery, Scary Barbie: Supermassive Black Hole Tears Apart a Giant Star With Terrifying Energy, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Sara Sawyer, Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Emma Worden-Sapper, PhD Student in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Sharon Wu, PhD Student in Interdisciplinary Quantitative Biology and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder. A man weighs and checks his flock of white turkeys at his family's farm last year in Townsend, Del. The USDAs Defend the Flock Program includes, for instance, information on biosecurity measures and how to spot signs of illness. Introduction of the Eurasian lineage HPAI to North . These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. Deletions from the Genome, End for Indus Megacities: Prolonged Droughts. "Rarely, we see crossover from birds into humans, with the current circulating . Most viruses are of low pathogenicity, meaning that they causes no signs or only minor clinical signs of infection in poultry. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Avian influenza A (H7N9) virus outbreak - WHO Another central issue is the difficulty of surveillance of knowing whether a bird is infected with a deadly influenza virus but isn't showing symptoms because they've been vaccinated. It's really a call to arms saying, we can't afford to address this from our individual silos. Original written by Kimbra Cutlip. Monthly case counts are available on the. USDA APHIS | Avian Influenza Bird flu infections in people are rare, but possible. The team also suggests that H5N1 will likely become endemic, potentially posing risks to food security and the economy.
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