Influenza in Birds

FRIDAY, Jan. 17, 2025 -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed another human H5N1 avian flu case -- otherwise known as bird flu -- in California on Thursday, bringing the nationwide total of cases to 67. California has been hit hardest, accounting for 38 cases, according to CDC data. The latest case involved a San Francisco child who developed fever and conjunctivitis but was not hospitalized and has since fully recovered. Most of the H5N1 infections in California have been linked to exposure to sick dairy cows , as well as poultry, though state health officials have reported two cases with undetermined exposure sources. B oth involved children . In its latest report, the CDC emphasized that the risk to the general public still remains low. However, certain groups are at higher risk, including: The CDC also outlined factors that could raise the threat level, including increased disease severity and genetic changes in the virus. The CDC recommends several measures to curb the spread of bird flu: Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

FRIDAY, Jan. 17, 2025 -- On Thursday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed another case of avian influenza A(H5N1), or bird flu, in California, bringing the nationwide total of cases to 67. California has been hit hardest, accounting for 38 cases, according to CDC data. The latest case involved a San Francisco child who developed fever and conjunctivitis but was not hospitalized and has since fully recovered. Most of the H5N1 infections in California have been linked to exposure to sick dairy cows, as well as poultry, though state health officials have reported two cases with undetermined exposure sources. Both involved children. In its latest report, the CDC emphasized that the risk to the general public still remains low. However, certain groups have a higher risk, including farm workers exposed to sick animals or their byproducts, backyard bird flock owners, animal care workers, and public health responders. The agency also outlined factors that could raise the threat level, including increased disease severity and genetic changes in the virus. Meanwhile, the CDC is urging health care workers to accelerate testing for avian influenza A(H5N1) in patients hospitalized with flu symptoms. The health advisory, issued Jan. 16, recommends that health care providers perform a test for avian influenza A(H5N1) within 24 hours of hospital admission for any patient suspected of having seasonal or bird flu. The advisory also suggests starting antiviral treatment, such as oseltamivir, immediately, without waiting for test results. H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation CDC Health Advisory Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

FRIDAY, Jan. 17, 2025 -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging health care workers to accelerate bird flu testing for patients hospitalized with flu symptoms, as the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak continues to grow in the United States and Canada. The advisory, issued Jan. 16, recommends that health care providers perform a second test for bird flu within 24 hours of hospital admission for any patient suspected of having seasonal or H5N1 avian influenza -- otherwise known as bird flu. It also emphasizes starting antiviral treatment, such as Tamiflu , immediately, without waiting for test results. Delays in diagnosing bird flu can complicate public health investigations, delay treatment for exposed individuals and affect hospital infection control, according to a report in The Washington Post . Patients who are not tested promptly may struggle to remember where they may have been exposed seven to 10 days before becoming sick, as well as others they may have exposed, said Dr. Nirav Shah , the CDC’s principal deputy director . “The more time that passes, the more [a patient’s] memories fade,” he told The Post. Bird flu has sickened more people in the ongoing outbreak. Earlier this month, a Louisiana man became the first U.S. resident to die from bird flu, and a Canadian girl spent two months hospitalized with severe illness. Public health officials have also confirmed an increasing number of bird flu infections in domestic cats linked to raw pet food or raw milk exposure. Who's most at risk? The CDC continues to stress that the risk of bird flu is low for the general public . However, an updated public health risk assessment notes that certain groups face a higher risk, including: Seasonal flu cases remain high nationwide, making it essential to distinguish between standard influenza and avian influenza quickly. Most hospitals lack the capability to test for bird flu on-site and must send specimens to public health labs, which can delay results. "By the time test results come back, the patients may already be discharged and their household contacts may no longer be candidates for effective antiviral treatment," Shah explained. As of today, 67 people have been infected by bird flu, most of them dairy or poultry workers, all of whom recovered. However, the Louisiana man who died had direct contact with sick birds in his backyard flock. The CDC recommends the following measures to curb the spread of bird flu: Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.