Severe case of bird flu just latest development in H5N1 outbreak
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The CDC’s confirmation on Wednesday of the first case of severe bird flu in the United States was just the latest development in the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza.
This year, H5N1 has been reported not only among wild birds, poultry and backyard flocks, but also cows, humans and a pig.
The other 60 people who acquired H5N1 in the U.S. this year developed mild symptoms and recovered, according to local, state and federal officials. More than half of the cases were linked to infected dairy cattle herds.
There has been no evidence of human-to-human transmission of H5N1, and the CDC continues to say that the threat to humans remains low.
Below are 10 stories that provide a rough outline of how the outbreak unfolded this year.
Q&A: What to know about bird flu in cattle, and the human case in Texas
In April, milk from dairy cows in several states tested positive for H5N1 in what experts believed to have been the first mammal-to-human transmission of the virus. Read more.
Q&A: FDA confirms traces of bird flu virus in pasteurized milk
Although genetic traces of H5N1 were detected in pasteurized milk, FDA officials said pasteurization inactivates viruses and there has not been an indication that the virus is a threat to the milk supply. Read more.
Q&A: Should the US be testing more for bird flu?
Healio asked Jennifer B. Nuzzo, DrPH, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University School of Public Health, if officials in the U.S. were doing enough to prevent cases of human bird flu in people who work with poultry and cattle. Read more.
Q&A: Could vaccinating birds, cows stop bird flu outbreak?
Although it is possible to vaccinate birds and cattle against H5N1, experts have debated whether the effort is worth it because of issues inherent to immunizing billions of animals at farms, according to Maurice Pitesky, DVM, MPVM, BMEA, at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine-Cooperative Extension. Read more.
US gives Moderna $176 million to develop mRNA pandemic flu vaccine
The virus’ spread among animals motivated officials to check on vaccine stockpiles and fund development of new vaccines. Read more.
Q&A: Bird flu threat still low after health care exposures, experts say
Several health care workers exposed to an infected person in Missouri, who had not been exposed to infected animals, reported mild symptoms but none tested positive for H5N1. Read more.
Detection of H5 in wastewater may have offered early bird flu warning
In May, the CDC added an online dashboard to its year-round monitoring of wastewater for influenza A viruses to help track potential spread of H5N1. Researchers later confirmed that wastewater offers early detection capabilities. Read more.
Q&A: First case of bird flu in a US pig raises concern
A pig at a noncommercial farm tested positive for H5N1, suggesting the virus could transmit among pigs, which are considered a “mixing vessel” for influenza A viruses because they can be infected by both avian and human viral strains. Read more.
USDA to begin required national milk testing for bird flu
A federal order was implemented in six states to test milk for H5N1 at dairy farms to detect outbreaks among herds in the hope of getting a better control on the virus’ spread. Read more.
Child in California with suspected bird flu drank raw milk, officials say
A child suspected to be the second pediatric H5N1 case in the U.S. drank raw milk from an infected cow, the CDC reported. Read more.
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