A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that more Americans may be infected with bird flu without showing symptoms. Researchers tested 150 veterinarians for H5N1, or bird flu, antibodies, which revealed three positive cases among those who had no reported exposure to animals with known or suspected bird flu infections.
The finding adds to the growing evidence of asymptomatic bird flu infections, a phenomenon seen in previous studies. Asymptomatic disease played a key role in the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, allowing the virus to circulate undetected.
While there is already a test for H5N1, it’s unlikely that people infected with bird flu who are symptom-free will get tested. The CDC reports nearly 70 cases of bird flu infections, including one death since April, with new cases recently reported in Nevada and Ohio.
Experts warn that the more undetected bird flu spreads, the greater the risk of the virus mutating into something more deadly to humans. “Not knowing the full picture is concerning,” said Dr. Ben Bradely, an assistant professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine’s pathology department.
The H5N1 virus has already had a significant impact on agriculture, reducing milk output in cattle and increasing egg prices due to millions of hen deaths. As the situation continues to unfold, public health officials are closely monitoring the spread of bird flu and its potential for human transmission.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/02/13/bird-flu-symptoms-cdc/78513646007