Two more people have been infected with Avian Flu (bird flu), as the virus continues to spread throughout dairy herds in the US. The new cases, which were confirmed in two dairy farm workers in California, are the first infections in the state. Nationally these infections bring the total human infections to 16, although the true total is likely higher because of the low rate of testing.
Nationwide over 250 dairy herds across 14 states have been hit by the virus since March of 2024. The virus has been circulating among wild and domesticated birds in recent years and recently made the jump to cows. Scientists have warned that the spread to many species of mammals indicates that the virus is moving closer to the ability to easily infect humans.
Last week, an outbreak of 8 human Avian flu cases in Missouri may be the first known instances of the virus spreading from person to person in the US. Worldwide, human to human transmission has been extremely rare and most infections have come via direct exposure to birds with Avian Flu.
We should be very concerned at this point,” said Dr. James Lawler, co-director of the University of Nebraska’s Global Center for Health Security. “Nobody should be hitting the panic button yet, but we should really be devoting a lot of resources into figuring out what’s going on.”
It means the virus is inching closer and closer to what would be a real pandemic virus,” Dr. Lawler explained. “That is when Pandora’s box is open.”
Full Story: HealthDay
