Bird or a bird flu known as Avian Influenza A viruses. In rare instances, nevertheless, humans are capable of being attacked by avian influenza A viruses. These infections may come in a variety of severities depending on the person infected; some individuals may manifest simple symptoms akin to those of common cold whereas some may end up dying as a result of this diseases.
Therefore, understanding how bird flu affects human health in terms of signs and symptoms together with taking necessary cautionary measures is vital.
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Colorado Bird Flu Outbreak Leaves Six Poultry Workers Infected Amid Soaring Temperatures and Challenging Conditions.
Weld County, CO – A developing and worrying situation has seen 6 farmworkers become infected this month by the H5N1 bird flu in Colorado and more cases than occurred in any other state. The infections all came from a commercial egg-layer farm with nearly 2 million chickens in Weld County, which appears to be battling an outbreak. Health officials have also noted that stringent measures are called for to contain the outbreak of the virus, also spreading in dairy herds and poultry flocks across the country.
Among them included five infected workers during the culling process inside the farm. Federal virologists highly stressed the very precarious position of these workers with temperatures soaring over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. With it proving almost impracticable to endure the full-body suits, goggles, and the N95 masks, which these workers were supposed to wear to prevent protective measures against the virus from being breached, large industrial fans, which were put in place to lower the temperature in the barns, served to spread virus-laden feathers, further complicating the issue at hand.
Containment Procedures and Testing
The farm culling operation involves 160 workers and may last another 10 to 14 days. About 55 symptomatic poultry workers have thus far been tested, according to Eric Deeble, a top United States Department of Agriculture official in charge of the bird flu response. Four cases were confirmed by the CDC, with one presumed positive awaiting confirmation. Another 16 symptomatic workers were still awaiting test results.
UPDATES: Deadly H5N2 Bird Flu Claims Life in Shocking Turn of Events
It is with grief that we reveal that a 59 years old man in Mexico City has died from the deadly H5N2 bird flu. This information came as a surprise to many as opposed to the well known H5N1 strain which most people are used to about global health fields including education systems worldwide.
As bedridden and having no known contact with birds or animals, the victim nonetheless succumbed to the deadly virus in what seemed to be isolation. He had underlying diabetes and chronic kidney failure, which made him susceptible to infections and eventually led to his death on April 24 when he started feeling feverish; had difficulty breathing: had diarrhea after short notes.
The scenario is made even more complicated by there being 12 people living close to his house who had interactions, out of them few showed symptoms suggestive of disease. As the government moves with haste trying to contain the infection, awaiting results from serology tests keeps globe in fear due to threat of a massive disease outbreak.
Amid concerns over a catastrophic spread after reports of the H5N2 virus being in the bird population, panic is starting to set in about escalation in severity. International public health authorities on their toes trying their best preventatives for fear that the outbreak will worsen at any cost;meanwhile, everyone across planet Earth waits anxiously hoping for things to come to a quick haltin this dreadful tragedy.
How Bird Flu Infects Humans?
Humans can be infected by avian influenza viruses, including A(H7N9), highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1), and A(H5N6). These viruses are shed by infected birds in saliva, mucus, or feces. People can get infected when they inhale the virus or when it lands on their eyes, mouth or nose
- Airborne transmission via droplets, small aerosol particles, or dust containing the virus.
- Direct contact with contaminated surfaces, such as animal feces, raw milk, litter, or materials contaminated by infected birds or other animals.
Recent Cases and Transmission Risks of Birdflue
Following exposure to dairy cows thought to be suffering from avian influenza. A case of HPAI A(H5N1) was confirmed in a human being in March 2024. In Michigan, the CDC reported another case that was linked to these cattle on May 22, 2024.
Bird flu viruses are rarely transmitted from human to human, but might involve one or more individuals on very rare occasions. Major concern has been raised by the mutation possibilities that make transmissibility more efficient between humans for influenza viruses, hence they need close monitoring.
You can check the current status of Avian Influenza viruses in USA through this link: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
Also Read: Learn How to Get Rid of Mice
Signs and Symptoms of Bird Flu in Humans: Avian Flu Symptoms
The symptoms of avian flu, a virus infection in humans can vary widely:
- Mild symptoms may include red eyes (conjunctivitis); an influenza-like illness characterized by a sore throat and cough, accompanied with mild headache.
- Severe symptoms could be risky by pneumonia necessitating hospitalization. Elevated system temperatures among other grave indications encompass feverish sensations involving muscular pains in different parts of the body accompanied by an overwhelming sense of fatigue while gasping airlessly or experiencing laboured inhalation usually due to shortness of breath”.
- Less Common Symptoms: There are patients who may have gastrointestinal symptoms similar to diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. And also they may have neurological symptoms for example seizures.
How can we Diagnosing Bird Flu in Humans?
Bird flu cannot be diagnosed by only observing clinical signs and symptoms. Although laboratory investigations are necessary for accurate diagnosis. In most cases this requires taking swabs from the upper respiratory tract of the individual infected either through the nose or throat. Lower respiratory tract specimens may also be tested in severe cases. For critically ill patients, lower respiratory tract specimens may also be tested.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have provided clinicians and public health professionals with detailed guidance on how to collect, test and process samples from patients who may have infections caused by the H5N1 bird flu virus.
In June 6 2024, a man has died by the infection of H5N2 infection in Mexico, you can get full details in here.
Precautions and Public Health Measures
To minimize the risk of avian influenza infection (Birdflu/avian flu) individuals should:
- Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated by animal feces, raw milk, litter, or materials contaminated by birds or other animals suspected of having avian influenza.
- Follow CDC guidance on precautions when handling wild birds, poultry, and other animals.
- We should monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if avian influenza infection is in suspecious. Especially for those with occupational exposure to poultry or other potentially infected animals.
What happen when you eat birdflue infected Chicken?
According to “DAN GALLAGHER” a registered dietitian from aegle nutrition says that “there’s not much risk of catching chicken or bird flu from beef or chicken; he also said on how even now when there is an outbreak of bird flu the possibility is still very low for one to get sick after consuming these poultry products.”
Can Birdflue virus killed by cooking?
The Penn researchers who developed an mRNA vaccine against a particular subtype of the H5N1 virus which is widely spread among birds and cattle. It seldom infects people, but at any time the virus can mutate to cause a human pandemic.
Is there any vaccine for birdflue for Human?
The Penn researchers who developed an mRNA vaccine against a particular subtype of the H5N1 virus which is widely spread among birds and cattle. It seldom infects people, but at any time the virus can mutate to cause a human pandemic.
Can we eat chicken which is dead by Birdflue?
Bird flu is generally spread from direct contact with affected birds. Always cook poultry and eggs thoroughly until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and in no case eat birds showing signs of illness or unknown cause of death.
