#Birdflu

[saeboria]

if anyone is interested my shop is https://www.etsy.com/shop/matulasmercantile and all mask chain proceeds goes to not only a disabled person but also goes towards buying masks for my local mask bloc 😷💕

[ausetkmt]

WEAR A MASK BECAUSE YOU DON'T NEED TO BE AN INCUBATOR

At least 58 people in the U.S. have been infected by the H5N1 bird flu virus this year, according to federal statistics. All but two of them had been around cows or chickens, two species in which H5N1 is circulating widely. That’s reassuring to scientists because it suggests the virus is spreading primarily through close contact with infected animals, and not from person to person.

Less comforting are the results of a study published Dec. 5 in the journal Science: the H5N1 strain spreading among U.S. cows is only one specific mutation away from more easily binding to human cells, “a prerequisite for transmission among humans,” says study co-author James Paulson, a professor in the department of molecular medicine at Scripps Research in California.

In its current form, the H5N1 virus is better at infecting certain animal species than humans. It has sickened millions of birds and cows from more than 700 U.S. dairy herds, but a relatively small number of people. 

Most of those human cases have been among farmworkers. That suggests that—even though the bird flu virus isn’t very good at infecting humans—it sometimes finds a way when people are exposed to high enough concentrations of it, such as through close contact with sick animals, explains Troy Sutton, an assistant professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences at Penn State University, who wasn’t involved in the new study. Because the virus isn’t good at growing in the human nose and throat, however, people who get sick don’t seem able to easily infect others by coughing or sneezing, as happens with the regular seasonal flu, Sutton says.

If the bird flu changes enough to effectively infect, grow in, and jump between people,“that’s how a pandemic starts,” Paulson says. 

His team focused on the first step in that process: how the virus would need to change to easily bind to human cells. In the lab, they studied a synthetic form of a gene from the viral strain that is currently circulating among cows. They made targeted mutations to see how the shifts altered its ability to attach to human cells. “The surprising finding,” Paulson says, was that one specific mutation seemed to be enough. Previous research on H5N1, including Paulson’s, had suggested that more changes would be required.

“The emergence of a bovine H5N1 virus capable of recognizing human receptors may be closer than previously thought,” Yoshihiro Kawaoka, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who studies bird flu but was not involved in the new study, wrote in an email to TIME.

Read More: Did the Pandemic Break Our Brains?

That’s a “striking” finding, Sutton agrees, and a good motivation to prevent further human cases to the extent possible. Already, federal health officials recommend that high-risk people, such as farmworkers, wear personal protective equipment around animals that may be sick and take flu antivirals (which also seem to work against bird flu) if they have a potential exposure.

Still, Paulson emphasizes that his study does not mean a pandemic is imminent. Despite what his team found in the lab, the virus circulating in the real world does not seem to have evolved to easily target humans. Public-health officials maintain that the virus is not spreading from person to person and currently presents a low risk to the general public.

More changes might be necessary for the virus to present a true pandemic threat. The ability to easily bind to human cells—which Paulson’s team tested for—is only the first step toward widespread person-to-person transmission, he says. Further changes might be needed for the virus to become highly contagious in the real world.

Kawaoka agrees. The fact that more than 50 people in the U.S. have gotten sick, but health officials have not seen any evidence of person-to-person spread, suggests that “additional mutations are likely necessary for the virus to achieve efficient human-to-human transmission,” he wrote.

Read More: Is it Time to Worry About Bird Flu?

Health officials are closely monitoring the situation, and some worrying observations have already been documented. Recently, a Canadian teenager who caught bird flu was hospitalized. When scientists analyzed the genetic sequence of the virus taken from the teen, they reportedly found that it had mutated in a way that could make it more transmissible among people, similar to the mutation Paulson’s team identified in their study. (Luckily, though, the teen doesn’t seem to have infected anyone else.)

Kawaoka has also studied a viral strain taken from an infected U.S. farmworker. That strain, which was able to grow in samples of human lung cells, contained a mutation known to promote viral growth among mammals, Kawaoka and his team found. But that mutation is not seen in the viral strains spreading among cows, his team emphasized when the study was published in October.

Although there is no evidence of person-to-person spread yet, Paulson says health authorities should prepare for wider spread of bird flu as a precaution. It’s worth stockpiling bird flu vaccines and making plans for how they would be rolled out if they become necessary, he says.

It’s also important to keep closely monitoring the virus for any signs of change, Sutton says. But “what’s alarming to me is that we often realize we have a pandemic after the pandemic has started,” he says. “If we started to see this mutation, would it already be too late? We don’t know the answer to that.” 

[grrl-beetle]

MIA BIRDFLU

[nando161mando]

#IDMastodon #Publichealth #Birdflu could become a human pandemic. How are countries preparing?

Wealthy nations are purchasing vaccines against #H5N1 #influenza and boosting surveillance, but there are concerns that low-income countries will be left behind.

[25000yearcycle]

[super-sootica]

besties, I am not feeling great about birdflu

[pilot4008]

how to save yourself from bird flu

[newscentral360]

Wind-blown avian feces may spread bird flu, warns expert. Egg prices expected to remain high in 2025 due to H5N1 outbreak The highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus continues to wreak havoc across the U.S., with infectious disease experts warning that wind-blown avian feces could be a significant route of transmission. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicts that egg prices will remain at record highs throughout 2025, as the outbreak devastates poultry flocks and disrupts supply chains.

[loganjameshamilton]

Are we prepared for the next pandemic? Read more: https://www.passporthealthusa.com/2025/01/latest-bird-flu-infections-could-lead-to-new-disastrous-mutations/

[saeboria]

hiii here's a little thing I made up on canva last night. just some actions i'm taking / tips on how to be safe from bird flu. i got chickens last year after wanting them for as long as i can remember and it has been unfortunately veryyyy stressful haha :,) I'm obviously no professional or an expert by any means, but I still wanted to share things I've been doing for the past ~2+ months. I recommend looking at Michele Forbes, DVM @ drforbeez on TikTok / IG for more information ♥

[lavandamichelle]

Protecting Yourself from Bird Flu: Symptoms and Safety Measures

With all the recent buzz about bird flu in the news, I couldn’t help but feel a little concerned. As a mom, ensuring my family stays safe and healthy is always my top priority. So, naturally, I wanted to dig deeper into what’s going on and how to keep us protected. After doing some research (and a lot of Googling), I turned to the experts at the CDC for the most reliable information. I’m Lavanda…

[vigidon56]

First severe bird flu case in US sparks alarm

[boutique-nouri]

Recall issued after raw milk from Fresno-based 'Raw Farm' tests positive for bird flu

🚨 Recall alert: Fresno’s 'Raw Farm' raw milk tests positive for bird flu! 🐦🥛 Stay informed! Click here #RawMilkRecall #BirdFlu #foodsafety

RawMilkRecall #BirdFlu #FoodSafety #FresnoNews

[whatsissue]

Should You Worry About Bird Flu? Experts Explain the Current Risks and Precautions

Should You Worry About Bird Flu? Experts Explain the Current Risks and Precautions The bird flu, specifically the H5N1 strain, has recently been spreading among dairy cows in California, Idaho, and Utah. While the virus primarily infects wild birds, it began impacting commercial poultry in 2022 and has now been detected in cattle since March 2024. Although there have been a few human cases linked to exposure to sick animals, experts emphasize that the situation is currently contained. Current Situation with Bird Flu The H5N1 outbreak was first identified in wild birds in January 2022 and quickly made its way to commercial poultry, affecting turkeys shortly after. Since then, the virus has been detected in various animals, including cattle, goats, alpacas, and even a pig. According to Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert, the ongoing outbreak is largely due to an increase in avian influenza activity among wild birds that has spilled over into livestock. Notably, this is the first time dairy cattle have been infected with H5N1, which raises concerns because there is no flu vaccine for cattle, and the dairy industry has never faced such a challenge before. The detection of H5N1 in pigs is particularly alarming since pigs can be infected by both human and avian viruses, potentially leading to the creation of new influenza strains that could infect humans. Can Humans Contract Bird Flu? As more animals become infected, the likelihood of human exposure increases. In April 2024, a person tested positive for H5N1 after exposure to infected cows, marking the first known case of cow-to-human transmission. By May, several additional cases were reported among individuals who had contact with infected dairy cows. In total, 46 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with bird flu this year due to exposure to infected animals. A July 2024 study suggested that the actual number of infections might be higher than reported, indicating that approximately 14.3% of farm workers tested had antibodies for H5N1, suggesting prior exposure to the virus. Public Health Threat Assessment According to the CDC, all cases documented in the current outbreak have been classified as sporadic instances of animal-to-human transmission. The risk to the general public remains low since there has been no evidence of human-to-human spread. For the virus to start spreading among humans, significant genetic changes would be necessary, allowing it to bind more effectively to human receptors. For those concerned about food safety, it’s important to note that pasteurized milk is safe, and properly cooking meat should eliminate any risk of the flu virus. Most reported symptoms in infected individuals have been mild, primarily respiratory issues and conjunctivitis. So far, no farmworkers diagnosed with HPAI have required hospitalization. Preparedness for a Larger Outbreak Experts warn that surveillance and testing efforts have not kept pace with the virus’s spread, which could allow it to adapt to humans. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced plans to enhance testing, collaborating with state veterinarians to bulk-test milk samples to understand where H5N1 is spreading. Dr. Richard Martinello stresses the importance of monitoring infections in animals, particularly pigs, as each new infection presents an opportunity for the virus to evolve. If clusters of human infections begin to emerge, it may indicate that the virus has gained the ability to spread among people. Vaccination and Prevention While vaccines for H5N1 have been developed, they are not yet publicly available. Experts recommend focusing on seasonal influenza vaccination as a more immediate protective measure, as seasonal flu poses a greater threat to public health than H5N1 at this time. Dr. Martinello emphasizes that getting vaccinated against seasonal influenza is a crucial step for personal protection. Conclusion While the current situation regarding bird flu is concerning, experts believe the risk to the general public remains low. Close monitoring of animal infections and enhanced testing will be vital in preventing the virus from adapting to humans. For now, staying informed and getting vaccinated against seasonal influenza are the best ways to protect yourself. Thank you for taking the time to read this article! Your thoughts and feedback are incredibly valuable to me. What do you think about the topics discussed? Please share your insights in the comments section below, as your input helps me create even better content. I’m also eager to hear your stories! If you have a special experience, a unique story, or interesting anecdotes from your life or surroundings, please send them to me at whatsissue@gmail.com. Your stories could inspire others and add depth to our discussions. If you enjoyed this post and want to stay updated with more informative and engaging articles, don’t forget to hit the subscribe button! I’m committed to bringing you the latest insights and trends, so stay tuned for upcoming posts. Wishing you a wonderful day ahead, and I look forward to connecting with you in the comments and reading your stories! Read the full article