A man in Ohio has become the latest person to contract bird flu, according to public health officials. The disease has spread to humans in a dozen states, infecting over 68 people with an H5 strain of avian influenza. Most human infections have occurred in California, where nearly 1,000 cattle in 16 states have tested positive for bird flu.
The Buckeye State is now a hotspot for poultry infections, reporting over 10.3 million sick birds. Ohio’s large egg-producing industry has led to the nation’s second-largest number of egg-laying birds killed since December due to the outbreak.
While experts say the risk to public health is low, they emphasize the need for vigilance due to the rapidly evolving situation. Meghan Frost Davis, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, warns that the presence of additional strains like H5N9 poses caution.
Influenza viruses are malleable and can mix with each other, potentially leading to a recombinant bird flu virus capable of person-to-person spread. Pigs can catch both bird and human flu viruses, posing a particular threat.
Currently, there is no bird flu vaccine available, but development efforts are underway. The CDC recommends getting the 2024-25 seasonal flu shot for everyone 6 months and older to reduce the risk of mutated bird flu virus formation.
As the situation continues to evolve, public health officials urge consumers to be aware of the risks and follow safety guidelines to mitigate disease spread.
Source: https://fortune.com/well/article/bird-flu-ohio-farm-worker-avian-influenza-public-health-threat