Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Helen Branswell
Published on 2024-04-05 19:50:51
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a warning to healthcare professionals to be vigilant for cases of H5N1 bird flu in individuals who have had contact with cows. This comes in response to an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in 16 dairy herds across six states in the United States, which has resulted in at least one confirmed human infection.
The CDC’s Health Alert Network advisory outlines the need for healthcare providers to consider H5N1 infection in patients with relevant exposure histories, such as those who work closely with dairy cows or live with individuals who do. Symptoms of H5N1 flu can range from mild to severe and may include conjunctivitis, fever, shortness of breath, pneumonia, and organ failure.
In suspected cases of H5N1 flu, patients should be isolated and treated by medical professionals wearing protective equipment. The antiviral drug oseltamivir, commonly known as Tamiflu, should be administered to suspected cases even before test results confirm the infection. The CDC reported that the lone individual infected with H5N1, who worked on a dairy farm in Texas, only experienced mild symptoms, primarily conjunctivitis, and is recovering well. No secondary transmission has been reported from this case.
The CDC emphasized that there have been no additional human cases or instances of human-to-human transmission related to the current outbreaks in dairy cattle and birds. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) describes viruses that cause severe illness in poultry, and H5N1 viruses are known to be highly pathogenic in birds, resulting in significant loss in poultry populations.
Although infected cows have shown mild symptoms and decreased milk production, contaminated milk must be destroyed to prevent the spread of the virus. The FDA ensures that pasteurization destroys the virus in milk, but consuming raw milk or raw milk cheese from infected cows is not advised. Infected cows have been reported in several states, including Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Idaho, Michigan, and Ohio.
It remains unclear how H5N1 is spreading among cows, whether through respiratory transmission like human flu or through farm practices. Genetic analyses show small changes in viruses from infected individuals, cows, and birds, but these changes do not indicate better adaptation to infect mammals.
The CDC’s advisory underscores the importance of early detection, isolation, and treatment of H5N1 cases to prevent further spread. Healthcare professionals and dairy farm workers should remain vigilant and follow safety protocols to minimize the risk of infection.
