Tag: bird flu

Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurised milk, FDA says

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that samples of pasteurised milk had tested positive for remnants of the bird flu virus that has infected dairy cows.

The agency stressed that the material is inactivated and that the findings “do not represent actual virus that may be a risk to consumers.” Officials added that they’re continuing to study the issue.

“To date, we have seen nothing that would change our assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe,” the FDA said in a statement.

The announcement comes nearly a month after an avian influenza virus that has sickened millions of wild and commercial birds in recent years was detected in dairy cows in at least eight states. The Agriculture Department says 33 herds have been affected to date.

FDA officials didn’t indicate how many samples they tested or where they were obtained. The agency has been evaluating milk during processing and from grocery stores, officials said. Results of additional tests are expected in “the next few days to weeks.”

The PCR lab test the FDA used would have detected viral genetic material even after live virus was killed by pasteurisation, or heat treatment, said Lee-Ann Jaykus, an emeritus food microbiologist and virologist at North Carolina State University

“There is no evidence to date that this is infectious virus and the FDA is following up on that,” Jaykus said.

Officials with the FDA and the USDA had previously said milk from affected cattle did not enter the commercial supply. Milk from sick animals is supposed to be diverted and destroyed. Federal regulations require milk that enters interstate commerce to be pasteurised.

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Because the detection of the bird flu virus known as Type A H5N1 in dairy cattle is new and the situation is evolving, no studies on the effects of pasteurisation on the virus have been completed, FDA officials said. But past research shows that pasteurisation is “very likely” to inactivate heat-sensitive viruses like H5N1, the agency added.

Matt Herrick, a spokesman for the International Dairy Foods Association, said that time and temperature regulations for pasteurisation ensure that the commercial U.S. milk supply is safe. Remnants of the virus “have zero impact on human health,” he wrote in an email.

Scientists confirmed the H5N1 virus in dairy cows in March after weeks of reports that cows in Texas were suffering from a mysterious malady. The cows were lethargic and saw a dramatic reduction in milk production. Although the H5N1 virus is lethal to commercial poultry, most infected cattle seem to recover within two weeks, experts said.

To date, two people in U.S. have been infected with bird flu. A Texas dairy worker who was in close contact with an infected cow recently developed a mild eye infection and has recovered. In 2022, a prison inmate in a work program caught it while killing infected birds at a Colorado poultry farm. His only symptom was fatigue, and he recovered.

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Bird flu risk to humans an ‘enormous concern,’ says WHO; all you must know

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the alarm about the spread of the avian influenza virus, also known as H5N1. Dr Jeremy Farrar, Chief Scientist at the WHO, said that the virus has an extremely high mortality rate among humans already infected with it. Though there are no reports of human-to-human transmission to date, the virus has already affected several hundreds of people.

Dr Jeremy said that the H5N1 virus predominantly infected poultry animals and ducks but over the timespan of one or two years the influenza infection has become an animal pandemic. He said, “This is of great concern. Earlier the virus affected ducks and chickens then it started affecting mammals and now the virus has evolved and developed the ability to infect humans. The virus may soon develop the ability to transmit from one human to another.”

Outbreak of H5N1 virus among dairy cows

As the United States is currently facing an outbreak of the H5N1 virus among dairy cows, the senior WHO official requested the public health authorities to closely monitor the dairy cows as the virus may develop the ability to transmit in different ways. He stated that it was very important to find out how the virus was spreading among the animals, which is still a mystery. Dr Jeremy said, “We have to make sure that the H5N1 does not come across humans as it can easily develop the ability to transmit between humans. We have to be ready to respond immediately with vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.”

Global steps to prevent the outbreak of the virus

This development comes as WHO announced that it has updated language to describe airborne pathogens in a bid to increase global cooperation if another unexpected global pandemic takes place. This initiative was taken up after the COVID-19 pandemic as there were no common terms among the medics and scientists from different parts of the country.

To bridge the gap between the public health agencies of different countries, WHO held talks with four major public health agencies from Africa, China, Europe and the United States before announcing the agreement.

“The initiative will strengthen the commitment of the international community to tackle more complex and more frequent epidemics and pandemics,” Dr Farrar told journalists in Geneva.

He added that with the same terminologies, it will be easier for experts to understand the symptoms and tackle the issues.

Commenting on the risk of the HN51 virus the WHO expert stated that the vaccine was still in the development stage and none of the health centres and authorities around the world is ready to provide a proper diagnosis if the outbreak takes place.

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Experts say H5N1 bird flu pandemic might be 100 times worse than COVID-19; Here’s how to stay safe

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Experts have raised alarm over the potential threat posed by the H5N1 bird flu, which they believe can lead to a pandemic that can be 100 times worse than COVID-19.

“This virus (has been) on the top of the pandemic list for many, many years and probably decades… And now we are getting dangerously close to this virus potentially causing a pandemic,” DailyMail quoted Dr Suresh Kuchipudi, a bird flu researcher in Pittsburgh, as saying.

Dr Kuchipudi noted that the H5N1 viruses have already demonstrated multiple important features of a potential pandemic virus. He added that it has the “greatest pandemic threat”.

The concerns regarding H5N1 bird flu were raised at a recent briefing where researchers discussed the issue in detail and expressed apprehension that it may be approaching a critical threshold that could spark a global pandemic.

John Fulton, a pharmaceutical industry consultant for vaccines, warned the H5N1 strain of influenza A may trigger a worse pandemic than COVID-19.

“This appears to be 100 times worse than COVID, or it could be if it mutates and maintains its high case fatality rate,” Fulton noted.

The European Union’s Food Safety Agency (EFSA) on Wednesday warned of a large-scale bird flu pandemic if the virus becomes transmissible between humans as they lack immunity against the virus.

This came after Texas reported that the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, was detected in a person.

Around 887 cases of human infection with H5N1 avian influenza have been reported around the world between January 2003 and February 26 this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. Out of these, 462 cases were fatal, accounting for a rate of 52%.

Here are a few tips to stay safe from the H5N1 flu:

1. People should try to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and their droppings. Use personal protective equipment when handling them.

2. Thoroughly cook the poultry products to kill the virus.

3. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose with unwashed hands.

4. Seek medical attention if you are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness.

5. Follow public health recommendations and stay informed about latest updates on H5N1.

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Brazil declares 180-day animal health emergency amid avian flu cases in wild birds

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Brazil on Monday declared a state of animal health emergency for 180 days in response to the country’s first ever detection of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in wild birds, in a document signed by Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro.

Infection by the H5N1 subtype of avian flu in wild birds does not trigger trade bans, based on guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health. However, a case of bird flu on a farm usually results in the entire flock being killed and can trigger trade restrictions from importing countries.

Brazil, the world’s biggest chicken meat exporter with $9.7 billion in sales last year, has so far confirmed eight cases of the H5N1 in wild birds, including seven in Espirito Santo state and one in Rio de Janeiro state.

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The country’s agriculture ministry said later on Monday it has created an emergency operations center to coordinate, plan and evaluate “national actions related to avian influenza.”

Though Brazil’s main meat producing states are in the south, the government is on alert after the confirmed cases, as avian flu in wild birds has been followed by transmission to commercial flocks in some countries.

Shares in Brazil-based BRF SA (BRFS3.SA), the world’s biggest chicken exporter, were up 3.6 percent before the government announcement and ended the day 0.5 percent lower.

Over the weekend, the Health Ministry said samples of 33 suspected cases of avian influenza in humans in Espirito Santo, where Brazil confirmed the first cases in wild birds last week, came back negative for the H5N1 subtype.

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WHO issues advisory after China reports first human death from H3N8 bird flu, check details here

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The first human death from H3N8 bird flu has been reported in China, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday. The deceased, a 56-year-old woman from China’s Guangdong province, was only the third human to be infected with the H3N8 virus. As per the WHO, all three cases have been reported from China.

The patient was hospitalised on March 3 for severe pneumonia, and she died on March 16. As per the WHO’s official statement, environmental samples were collected from the patient’s residence and the wet market where the patient visited. All samples returned positive results for influenza A(H3), the WHO said.

The severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance system detected the case, and it was reported that the patient had several underlying conditions.

She also had a history of exposure to live poultry and contamination from wild birds around her home.

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So far, no close contacts of the patient were found to be infected, according to the WHO.

What is H3N8 bird flu?

The H3N8 virus was first detected in wild birds in the 1960s and then, it was also detected in other animals.

The virus spreads to humans usually due to exposure to live or dead poultry and in contaminated environments. It can cause severe respiratory ailments which can lead to pneumonia and death in humans. So far, human-to-human transmission of the disease has not been reported.

However, the H3N8 virus is common among birds and has little to no effect on them, according to a Reuters report.

WHO advisory

The WHO has issued an advisory to minimise the risk of infection. The world health body has recommended countries increase public awareness of the importance of avoiding contact with high-risk environments such as live animal markets/farms, live poultry, or surfaces that may be contaminated by poultry or bird faeces.

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It has advised people to maintain good hand hygiene, frequent sanitisation and use respiratory protection in risky environments. Travellers to countries with known outbreaks of animal influenza are advised to avoid contact with high-risk environments.

Further, the WHO advised against any travel or trade restrictions based on the information available on the infection at this time. It has stressed the importance of global surveillance to detect any evolution in the viral strain which can pose a threat to humans.

The WHO has further advised poultry workers to get a seasonal influenza vaccination.

Also, under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), countries have been instructed to immediately notify the WHO of any laboratory-confirmed case of human infection.

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Kerala’s Kozhikode reports bird flu outbreak in state-run poultry farm, 1800 chickens dead

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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A bird flu outbreak has been reported in a state-run poultry farm in Kozhikode district of Kerala as around 1,800 chickens have died of the infection, official sources said.

The presence of H5N1 variant, which has an additional proliferative capacity, was confirmed among the poultry in the local farm managed by the district panchayat here on Wednesday, the sources said.

J Chinchu Rani, Kerala Minister for Animal Husbandry, gave instructions to take urgent preventive measures as per the Centre’s guidelines and protocol in this regard, they said.

As initial tests indicated the outbreak of bird flu, the samples were sent to the high security lab in Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) for accurate diagnosis which confirmed the avian influenza, a government statement said.

There were over 5,000 chickens in the farm and of them 1,800 died so far due to the infection.

The culling and other further procedures would be done with the coordination of various government departments under the aegis of the district authorities, it added.

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China reports first human case of H3N8 strain of bird flu; symptoms and everything else you need to know

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The first human case of the H3N8 strain of bird flu has been detected in China’s central province of Henan. According to China’s National Health Commission, a four-year-old boy who had come in contact with chickens and crows raised at his home had contracted the infection, The Guardian reported. The boy showed fever and other symptoms on April 5 and had been hospitalised.

The authorities said although the tests of the boy’s close human contacts had been done, “no abnormalities” were detected.

What is the H3N8 strain?

The H3N8 variant more commonly affects dogs, horses and seals. It first emerged in a North American waterfowl in 2002. In 2012, H3N8 was responsible for the deaths of over 160 seals off the northeastern coast of the US. Meanwhile, avian influenza or bird flu occurs mostly among wild birds and poultry. Till now, no human case of the H3N8 had been reported.

In the human case in China, the whole genome sequence analyses show that the H3N8 virus is a reassortant, having genes from viruses seen previously in poultry and wild birds, Reuters quoted Nicola Lewis, an influenza expert at the Royal Veterinary College in Britain, as saying.

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Is it contagious?

Avian influenza or bird flu is said to be a highly contagious viral disease, but health authorities believe the risk of its spread among people is low.

“There is no reason to think it will go any further,” The Guardian quoted Paul Digard, professor at the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, as saying.

Although rare, such infections in human beings can result in adaptive mutations that could allow these viruses to spread in mammals, Reuters quoted Erik Karlsson, deputy head of the virology unit at the Institute Pasteur in Cambodia, as saying.

“We need to be concerned about all spillover events,” he said.

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Which strains of bird flu infect humans?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control, the H5N1 strain of bird flu detected in 1997 and the H7N9, first observed in 2013, have been responsible for most cases of human illness from avian influenza.

How does one get it?

Animal-borne influenza is primarily contracted through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments, the World Health Organisation said. However, it does not result in efficient transmission of these viruses between people.

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Bird flu scare in Maharashtra; what we know so far

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Maharashtra authorities are on high alert in Thane’s Vehloli village after avian influenza (H5N1), or bird flu, was confirmed in over 100 dead birds in the area.

State agencies rushed to investigate after over 300 birds died here last week. The state animal husbandry department sent samples to the Disease Investigation Section, Department of Animal Husbandry in Pune and the ICAR-National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases lab in Bhopal for confirmation.

Bihar has also reported an outbreak of the highly infectious disease on a poultry research farm, according to World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The virus killed 787 out of 3,859 birds on the farm in Patna and the remaining birds were slaughtered, reports said.

Here’s what we know so far

Culling operations have already begun to prevent the spread of the viral disease. Nearly 25,000 birds within 1 km of the infection outbreak will be culled while authorities will remain on high alert for the spread of infection to other areas.

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A rapid response team was formed in Shahpur area to commence the culling operations. It is expected that along with the culling of the birds, the poultry feed and eggs in the radius will also be destroyed as is standard practice for dealing with the spread of the disease.

“We got confirmation last night that the birds were infected with avian influenza,” said Singh. While there are no lakes or pond around that village which could attract migratory birds, the state commissioner said they were also trying to understand the route of transmission. However, everyone is on alert and measures to contain the spread are in place, Sachindra Pratap Singh, Commissioner of Animal Husbandry, Maharashtra, told the Indian Express.

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In December 2020, the infection had spread to a large area in Maharashtra and the state had to eventually cull more than 10 lakh birds, and 60 lakh eggs and 83,000 kg of poultry feed were also destroyed.

The officials are urging people not to panic as proper safety precaution and sanitary efforts are already in place.

“Hundreds of poultry are being culled in and around Vehloli area of Shahpur in rural Thane Friday morning [February 18] after samples of a few birds that dropped dead over the last one week tested positive for avian influenza. We will issue a notification elaborating the findings. There is no reason for residents to panic,” an official told TOI.

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Avian influenza is a zoonotic infection that spreads from wild birds like wild waterfowl, ducks and geese and is spread through faeces and feathers to poultry birds. The infection can occasionally spread to humans through direct or indirect contact, though unlike popular belief, eating the meat of the poultry bird does not spread the infection if the meat is cooked properly.

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AIIMS reports first death in India due to avian flu; what we know so far

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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AIIMS, New Delhi, reported the first bird flu death in the country on July 20. The 12-year-old boy had been infected with avian flu and was being treated at the hospital.

All staff members who were exposed to him are currently under isolation, monitoring themselves for any signs and symptoms of the flu.

Avian flu, as the name suggests, is usually a virus that is transmitted among birds.

However, on rare occasions, it can be transmitted from a live bird to a nearby human. The viral particles spread the disease through an infected bird’s saliva, mucous and faeces.

The Case

Earlier in the year, many Indian states had seen an epidemic of avian or bird flu in their poultry populations. This was at a time when India was in the thick of  the COVID-19 pandemic. In case of an avian flu outbreak, the poultry population is usually culled for safety reasons.

When the 12-year-old boy presented himself to the hospital with his symptoms, doctors first believed it to be a case of COVID-19. After the test results came back negative, they thought  it might be the influenza virus. It was only when the child developed leukaemia and pneumonia, that doctors reckoned that something else was at play. His samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, where he tested positive for bird flu.

All hospital staffers who came in contact with the child were immediately contact traced and monitored by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Cause for Concern?

While it is always advisable to take precautions, bird flu cannot easily infect humans. The viral cells have not yet adapted to latch onto and infect human cells effectively. This leads to very low rates of infection.

This in general means that the flu does not jump from birds to humans, though it has been documented before. Human-to-human transmission is even rarer. World Health Organization (WHO) data shows that between January 2003 and July 8, 2021, there were 239 cases of human infection due to the virus.

But bird flu, in the rare cases when it is transmitted, is deadly. The mortality rate of the virus is at 60 percent, compared to 3 percent for the COVID-19 virus.

“The transmission of the virus from birds to humans is rare and sustained human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus has not yet been established and therefore there is no need to panic. People working closely with poultry must take precautionary measures and maintain proper personal hygiene,” AIIMS chief Dr Randeep Guleria said.

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China reports first human case of H10N3 bird flu

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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A 41-year-old man in China’s eastern province of Jiangsu has been confirmed as the first human case of infection with the H10N3 strain of bird flu, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) said on Tuesday. The man, a resident of the city of Zhenjiang, was hospitalised on April 28 after developing a fever and other symptoms, the NHC said in a statement.

He was diagnosed as having the H10N3 avian influenza virus on May 28, it said, but did not give details on how the man had been infected with the virus.

H10N3 is a low pathogenic or relatively less severe strain of the virus in poultry and the risk of it spreading on a large scale was very low, the NHC added. The man was stable and ready to be discharged from the hospital. Medical observation of his close contacts had not found any other cases.

Many different strains of avian influenza are present in China and some sporadically infect people, usually those working with poultry. There have been no significant numbers of human infections with bird flu since the H7N9 strain killed around 300 people during 2016-2017.

No other cases of human infection with H10N3 have previously been reported globally, the NHC said.

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