Bird Flu Catch-all | Trump Admin delays reporting

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evrheel

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Bird flu continues to spread across the United States after jumping from chickens and turkeys to cow milk and humans. The first death was reported this week in Louisiana after a 65-year-old man with underlying medical conditions succumbed to the flu.

CNN reported that a recent study by scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigated the first 46 cases of bird flu in the United States in 2024. Nearly all of those were considered to be mild, with the exception of one person who had been exposed to infected farm animals.

The man in Louisiana was infected with a strain of the flu, known as D1.1, the report said. It's different from the one that is spreading among dairy cows.
 
Sounds like this particular case they think the victim had (previously undiagnosed?) contributing health issues, but bears watching by our public health experts.
 
Dumb question, how do they identify these mild cases of bird flu?

I have been to the doctor due to flu like symptoms and I don’t think they once sent it off for lab testing.

Is there a specific symptom that they are looking for?

Edit: I think I got my answer. There are rapid antigen tests for bird flu. I guess doctors now have those?
 
Dumb question, how do they identify these mild cases of bird flu?

I have been to the doctor due to flu like symptoms and I don’t think they once sent it off for lab testing.

Is there a specific symptom that they are looking for?

Edit: I think I got my answer. There are rapid antigen tests for bird flu. I guess doctors now have those?
Bird flu is just flu. It's a particular potent version for us, because lack of exposure means that our immune systems aren't well equipped to handle it (as I understand it) at least. But it's still an HxNx virus and it should be testable like other flu.
 
Bird flu is just flu. It's a particular potent version for us, because lack of exposure means that our immune systems aren't well equipped to handle it (as I understand it) at least. But it's still an HxNx virus and it should be testable like other flu.
My question is what prompts the testing for mild cases?
 
“… All commercial poultry operations within a six-mile radius were placed under quarantine and will undergo surveillance testing for a period of at least two weeks, according to the GDA.

Poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, and sales (flea market or auction market) in Georgia are suspended until further notice, according to officials. There is no word on when they might resume.

The case is the first confirmed in a commercial poultry operation in Georgia, and the fifth detection in the state, officials noted. …”

 
Took this link from another thread b/c also relevant here:


New Strain of Bird Flu Found on California Duck Farm​


It's the first time that highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N9 has been found in U.S. poultry.

“… The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) notified the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) about the detection of H5N9 this past weekend, though the outbreak itself dates back to last November. Worryingly, both H5N9 and H5N1 were found on the farm, located in Merced County. These are the first reported cases of H5N9 ever found in U.S. poultry.

… According to the WOAH report filed by the USDA, the outbreak was detected in late November, following increased duck deaths at the farm. Tests of the sickened birds conducted by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory initially detected an unknown type of H5 influenza. Later genetic testing, completed by mid-January, identified cases of H5N9 and H5N1 influenza. Both strains appear to belong to the same broad clade of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, called 2.3.4.4b.


The larger implications of this outbreak are unclear at this point. One reason why influenza is dangerous is that different variants can sometimes infect the same host and mix together, producing a new strain with unpredictable properties, including changes that could make it more adaptable to human transmission. It’s possible this variant of H5N9 emerged from H5N1 mingling with other N9-carrying types of influenza (which wouldn’t be the first time such a reassortment event has happened). The outbreak is also noteworthy because ducks are a concerning host for avian influenza, since they often don’t show signs of illness; that in turn could make them more proficient vectors of infection to other birds and animals. At the same time, this outbreak may be an isolated incident, as no additional cases of H5N9 have been detected elsewhere.

While the USDA is still talking to the WOAH, the Trump administration has ordered all of its federal health agencies to cease most external communication for the time being. Neither the USDA nor APHIS appear to have provided a public update on the outbreak. Gizmodo has reached out to APHIS for comment but did not hear back by the time of publication.”
 
Not now, new strain of bird flu, we're busy sorting out how we are going to prevent previous strains of bird flu from becoming the next pandemic.
 
Not now, new strain of bird flu, we're busy sorting out how we are going to prevent previous strains of bird flu from becoming the next pandemic.
I think we are busy sorting out whether the new Administration will allow its scientific experts to try to sort out the bird flu risks. And they better well not discuss impact of the same or similar strains with anyone anywhere!
 
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