Since the outbreak of the #AvianFlu flu seems to be spreading from Texas, are the people who called #COVID19 the “China Virus” calling this the “Texas Virus?” 🙂
"What's even more concerning, several researchers agreed, is the growing potential for bird flu to spread to another species of livestock: Pigs.
While cattle aren't known for being an ideal host for many flu viruses, pigs are potent viral mixing vessels. That's because swine have both human-adapted receptors and avian-adapted receptors in their respiratory tracts, Moncla said, meaning they can be infected with either type of pathogen"
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I am under the impression that #influenza viruses have never been demonstrated to be foodborne, and this stuff about pasteurizing milk from infected cows sounds like public health theater to calm the plebs
...put on, use, take off, dispose of, and maintain PPE; and PPE limitations. Employers subject to ...OSHA regulations should comply with applicable standards as highlighted on the OSHA Avian Influenza – Standards page.
Clinicians should consider the possibility of HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection in persons showing signs or symptoms of acute respiratory illness who have relevant exposure history.
...public health department to arrange testing for influenza A(H5N1) virus, collect recommended respiratory specimens (see below) using PPE, consider starting empiric antiviral treatment (see below), and encourage the patient to isolate at home away from their household members and not go to work or school until it is determined they do not have avian influenza A virus infection...
9/
...Testing for other potential causes of acute respiratory illness should also be considered depending upon the local epidemiology of circulating respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.
State health department officials should investigate potential human cases of HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection as described below and should notify CDC within 24 hours of identifying a case under investigation...
10/
...Rapid detection and characterization of novel influenza A viruses in humans remain critical components of national efforts to prevent further cases, to allow for evaluation of clinical illness associated with them, and to assess the ability of these viruses to spread from human to human. State Health Department officials, including the State Public Health Veterinarian, should collaborate with...
11/
...with State Department of Agriculture and State Wildlife officials using a One Health approach when relevant to investigate suspected HPAI A(H5N1) infections in people linked with animals.
People exposed to HPAI A(H5N1)-infected birds or other animals (including people wearing recommended PPE) should be monitored for signs and symptoms of acute respiratory illness beginning after their first exposure...
12/
(Gee I wonder if that's a typo and they mean 1 day 🤔 /snark)
Patients who meet Epidemiologic criteria AND either Clinical OR Public Health Response criteria below should be tested for HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay using H5-specific primers and probes at your state or local public health department...
13/
Persons with recent exposure (within 10 days) to HPAI A(H5N1) virus through one of the following:
[all of the above]
Clinical Criteria
Persons with signs and symptoms consistent with acute upper or lower respiratory tract infection, or complications of acute respiratory illness without an identified cause. In addition, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea are often reported with HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection...
...multi-organ failure (respiratory and kidney failure), sepsis, meningoencephalitis.
(So... Basically exposure to anyone who is sick, which is a fairly big number right now??)
Vaccination
No human vaccines for prevention of HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection are currently available in the United States. Seasonal influenza vaccines do not provide any protection against human infection with HPAI A(H5N1) viruses...
"The FDA’s top vaccine regulator said Monday that the U.S. maintains a stockpile of vaccines targeting avian flu.
“There are actually vaccines licensed in the United States for H5N1, and there are stockpiles where we believe that, if we needed to, they would be reasonably good matches,” Dr. Peter Marks said at the World Vaccine Congress in Washington."
Via Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell
4:25 PM · Apr 4, 2024
"The number of states reporting #H5N1 bird flu outbreaks in cows is now 6. According to USDA, outbreaks have been detected in 15 herds: Texas (7), Kansas (3), New Mexico (2), Idaho, Michigan & Ohio (new) with 1 each.
Still a single confirmed human case."
'Centers for Disease Control has urged Medical Practitioners on Friday to be on the lookout for people who might have contracted #H5N1 Bird Flu from Cows. State agencies urged to rapidly assess any suspected human cases.' "