In the event you’re studying headlines about fowl flu and questioning what to do, you’re not alone. The gradual enhance in circumstances has everybody involved in regards to the pandemic potential of this virus. However Patrick Jackson, MD, an infectious illness knowledgeable at UVA Well being, doesn’t assume there’s a lot for the typical citizen to fret about, but.
Is Fowl Flu in Virginia?
Sure. The Richmond Zoo introduced that 2 of its cranes handed away as a result of H5N1 fowl flu.
This isn’t a shock to Jackson. “We’ve identified for a very long time that H5N1 influenza in its present pressure is broadly distributed,” he says. Finally, the lack of the cranes is one thing that’s a tragic however predictable consequence for animals who’ve contact with wild flocks.
The place Did Fowl Flu Come From?
Fowl flu was first described in 1878. It was described as a “fowl plague.” However in 1981, we began calling it the fowl flu.
Fowl flu is definitely a form of influenza A, just like the swine flu. These viruses can cross species.
Are Folks Capable of Get Fowl Flu?
Sure. The primary bird-to-human transmission occurred in 1997. The primary case in america occurred in April of 2022.
In 2024, 67 folks in america have been recognized with fowl flu. 1 particular person in Louisiana died.
What Are the Signs of Fowl Flu?
Fowl flu has fairly normal flu-like signs:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Pink eye
However fowl flu is especially regarding when extreme signs occur. These don’t happen in all circumstances. After they do occur, they embrace:
- Seizures
- Bother respiration
- Very excessive fever (over 103 levels Fahrenheit)
- Organ failure (kidneys, liver, & coronary heart)
- Mind irritation
Feeling Below the Climate?
Whether or not it is fowl flu or the usual selection, your major care physician might help.
Is Fowl Flu Critical in People?
Traditionally, nearly 50% of individuals contaminated with fowl flu have died from it. However the signs from the present pressure seem like milder. It’s additionally potential that gentle circumstances up to now have gone undetected.
Who Is at Threat of Fowl Flu?
Individuals who immediately work together with poultry or cows are probably the most in danger. Of the folks contaminated in america, solely 4 didn’t work immediately with dairy cows or poultry.
Folks most in danger embrace:
- Poultry employees, together with these working with chickens, geese, and geese
- Wildlife employees
- Veterinarians
- Folks with chickens or cows
- Folks with underlying well being circumstances, like bronchial asthma
- Folks consuming meals ready unsafely
Wait, It Can Infect Dairy Cows?
The present pressure of fowl flu can infect dairy cows. That is the primary time that fowl flu has been present in cows. Researchers have beforehand detected the virus in over 200 animals, together with lions, tigers, and bears. Oh my.
Are Different Animals at Threat?
Animals which have contact with birds or cows also can get sick. Most just lately, a number of cats have died after getting fowl flu.
Cats can catch it in the event that they’re out of doors cats who hunt birds or in the event that they’re consuming uncooked fowl meat that’s contaminated. A number of cats additionally died at a dairy farm after ingesting unpasteurized, or uncooked, milk.
How Can I Keep away from Getting Fowl Flu?
For most individuals, Jackson doesn’t assume any extra precautions are wanted, except cows or birds are a daily a part of your life.
However if you happen to’ve bought a flock of yard chickens or routinely hunt, there are extra items of recommendation.
”Defend your self utilizing applicable private protecting gear. Individuals who have yard chickens must be actually conscious of how their chickens are doing and be very cautious in coping with any animals that look to be sick or animals which can be lifeless. Use applicable protecting gear when dealing with these. Hunters ought to take applicable precautions when dealing with or dressing birds that they’ve caught,” Jackson says.
Will the Flu Vaccine Defend Me from Fowl Flu?
Sadly, no. The flu vaccine doesn’t defend in opposition to fowl flu. However it does make it much less possible that you simply’ll get the fowl flu and the common flu on the similar time. That is clearly good for you, however it’s additionally good for everybody.
One of many issues that would make fowl flu able to human-to-human transmission can be if fowl flu and the common human flu blended. A hybrid bird-human pressure would enormously enhance the danger of a pandemic. Happily, this isn’t a priority proper now.
What If I Know Somebody with Chickens?
As of proper now, person-to-person transmission hasn’t occurred. So long as you’re not dealing with their chickens and so they’re washing their arms, you have to be high quality.
What About Consuming Rooster, Eggs, and Dairy?
So long as you warmth your meals to above 165 levels Fahrenheit, you’re protected. Fowl flu can’t survive at that temperature. Neither can salmonella or E. coli, the extra widespread infections we get from improperly ready meals.
However, for certain, now is just not the time for runny eggs.
Do I Need to Warmth Up My Milk?
In the event you purchase milk out of your native grocery retailer, it’s almost definitely pasteurized. Pasteurization is a course of the place the milk is heated to eliminate microorganisms. It kills 99.9% of disease-causing microorganisms, together with the fowl flu virus.
The place To Get Updates
In the event you’re involved about fowl flu circumstances, the Virginia Division of Well being is posting about circumstances in Virginia. In addition they have extra assets for involved dairy farmers. These with yard hen flocks can try the CDC’s tips for staying properly whereas caring to your flock.
