Can bird flu be the next pandemic?
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox Information senior medical analyst, weighs in on how involved individuals ought to be about chicken flu spreading on ‘Fox Report.’
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The Washington State Division of Well being (DOH) has confirmed {that a} resident of Grays Harbor County is the primary individual within the U.S. recognized to be contaminated with the H5N5 strain of avian influenza.
The case additionally marks the nation’s first human chicken flu analysis since February.
The affected person, described by officers as “an older grownup with underlying well being circumstances,” stays hospitalized after displaying influenza-like signs in early November.
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The DOH acknowledged that the person “had a blended yard flock of home poultry at residence that had publicity to wild birds.
“Further testing reveals the virus to be H5N5, an avian influenza virus that has beforehand been reported in animals however by no means earlier than in people.”
The H5N5 virus is an in depth cousin of H5N1 — each are varieties of chicken flu — however they’re not the identical, consultants say. (Reuters/Mike Blake)
Home poultry and wild birds are thought-about the more than likely sources of the virus exposure, although the well being investigation is ongoing.
Public well being consultants haven’t discovered any elevated danger to the general public up to now, based on the press launch.
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“Transmission of avian influenza between people is extraordinarily uncommon and has by no means been documented in the USA,” the report states.
The affected person, who is barely described as an “older grownup,” stays hospitalized as of the newest report. (iStock)
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention and DOH “at present think about the danger to the general public from avian influenza to be low.”
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The DOH urges poultry homeowners, wildlife handlers and others who’ve contact with animals to train warning.
Measures embrace avoiding contact with sick or useless birds, utilizing applicable protecting tools and reporting sick wildlife or domestic animals to the Washington State Division of Agriculture (WSDA).
“An infection with each [regular flu and bird flu] may outcome within the emergence of an avian influenza virus that’s extra simply transmitted from individual to individual.” (iStock)
The discharge additionally emphasizes that though the seasonal flu vaccine doesn’t stop chicken flu infections, it’s important as a result of “an infection with each viruses may outcome within the emergence of an avian influenza virus that’s extra simply transmitted from individual to individual.”
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Beforehand this yr, the CDC declared the bird flu emergency officially over.
The company’s emergency response to H5N1 chicken flu, which was activated in 2024, was “deactivated” July 2, the company advised Reuters, citing declining animal infections and an absence of human circumstances since February.
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The H5N5 virus is an in depth cousin of H5N1. Whereas each viruses come from birds and share a part of their genetic code, H5N5 has a distinct “finish piece” of its construction that adjustments the way it behaves, consultants say.
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Whereas H5N1 has triggered human sickness — and even deaths — for years, H5N5 has largely been restricted to birds till now, per well being officers.