The latest CDC update on the bird flu was revealed today and it was reported that the H5N1 bird flu across the United States (backyard and commercial) affected a total of 58,386,983 poultry. Here is more information about today’s updates.
383 Counties Affected by the Bird Flu
The CDC posted a table displaying all counties that are affected by the bird flu. This data table provides information regarding bird flu outbreaks in the United States that included commercial poultry facilities, backyard poultry, and bird flocks kept by hobbyists and backyard poultry keepers. One of the biggest flock in the recent dates was a number of 23,700 poultry in the county of Tehama, California. Click here to navigate the map and see where all outbreaks occurred since September 2022.
In an interview with Dr. Tim Uyeki, Chief Medical Officer of the Influenza Division at CDC, the question about the extent of the current outbreak of influenza A(H5N1) in birds was asked. He replied “Like much of the rest of the world, the United States continues to experience outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus in wild birds and poultry. HPAI A(H5N1) virus has been circulating among birds and poultry in different parts of the world for many years and continuing to evolve into different groups that are referred to as clades,” he continued. “The current clade of H5N1 virus, called clade 2.3.4.4b, appears well-adapted to spread efficiently among wild birds and poultry in many regions of the world and was first identified in wild birds in the United States in January 2022. Since then, this current clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI A(H5N1) virus has been detected in wild birds in all 50 states and has caused bird outbreaks in 47 states affecting more than 58 million commercial poultry and backyard flocks.”
He also answered several questions, such as the H5N1 virus among humans, where he confirmed that seven human cases were reported since January 2022, and that in four of these cases, no respiratory symptoms were reported. He also added that in none of these instances was there evidence that the H5N1 virus had been transmitted from person to person.
What To Do if You Come in Contact with Infected Birds
The CDC has information available to prepare yourself in case of contact with infected birds. People who become sick within 10 days of their exposure to infected birds should quarantine themselves at home away from their household members and should not go to work or school until they have recovered from their illness and it has been established that they do not have an infection with the bird flu virus. Notifying the local or state public health agency is important because they may provide assistance in monitoring and advice about when it is no longer necessary to isolate patients.
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that anybody aged 6 months or older get a seasonal flu vaccination each year. They quote “It is especially important that people who may have exposure to sick birds get a seasonal flu vaccine, ideally 2 weeks before their potential exposure, if possible. Seasonal flu vaccination will not prevent infection with bird flu viruses but can reduce the risk of getting sick with human and bird flu viruses at the same time.”
You can find all of the information you need on the CDC website.
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