The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) confirmed on Wednesday the US’ first “extreme” human case of H5N1 avian influenza—or chicken flu, a zoonotic an infection which has stoked fears of turning into the subsequent world pandemic.
The extreme case includes a resident of southwestern Louisiana who was reported as presumptively constructive for an infection final Friday. The contaminated affected person “is experiencing extreme respiratory sickness associated to H5N1 an infection and is at present hospitalized in crucial situation,” in accordance with Emma Herrock, a spokesperson for the Louisiana Division of Well being, who mentioned that the affected person is over the age of 65 and has underlying medical circumstances however that additional updates on their situation won’t be given right now attributable to affected person confidentiality.
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It’s the 61st case of human H5N1 chicken flu an infection within the nation since April this yr. However the CDC mentioned the general threat of the pathogen to the general public stays low, and no associated deaths have been reported within the U.S. up to now.
Right here’s what to know.
What brought on the extreme an infection?
The CDC, in its Dec. 18 announcement, mentioned that whereas an investigation is underway, the affected person was discovered to have hyperlinks to sick and useless birds in yard flocks, making it the primary recognized case of an infection within the U.S. to have these origins.
Of the 60 different instances, 58 had been linked to business agriculture—37 from dairy herds and 21 from poultry farms and culling. The sources of publicity for the 2 different U.S. human instances stay unknown.
What’s the present state of H5N1 human infections?
Of the human infections recorded within the U.S. this yr, 34, or greater than half, had been in California, with all however one uncovered to cattle. In response, Governor Gavin Newsom on Dec. 18 declared a state of emergency.
The CDC mentioned that such a “extreme” an infection as was present in Louisiana was anticipated given instances in different international locations. In Vietnam, a affected person who died in March after a prognosis of “extreme pneumonia, extreme sepsis, and acute respiratory misery syndrome” was discovered with an H5N1 an infection, in accordance with the World Well being Group. The U.S. seems to be main in H5N1 infections internationally this yr, in accordance with CDC knowledge on chicken flu instances reported to the WHO.
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How can an infection be prevented?
The CDC issued various protecting measures, together with largely avoiding direct contact with wild birds and different suspected contaminated animals in addition to their bodily excretions. Individuals who work with cattle and poultry on affected farms have a better threat of an infection, and are thus suggested to observe any potential signs of an infection.
Correctly cooked poultry and poultry merchandise are protected, and the CDC says that whereas unpasteurized (uncooked) milk from contaminated cows can pose dangers to people, it’s not but recognized if avian influenza viruses might be transmitted by way of its consumption.
