First Case of New Hen Flu in Human in U.S.

Newest Infectious Illness Information

FRIDAY, April 29, 2022 – The primary U.S. case of bird flu in a human has been confirmed in Colorado, federal and state well being officers reported Thursday.

Nonetheless, the chance to most people is low, the united statesCenters for Illness Management and Prevention harassed.

The affected person, a 40-year-old man who was engaged on a farm with contaminated poultry as a part of a jail work-release program, was largely asymptomatic, reporting solely fatigue, the Colorado Division of Public Well being and Atmosphere (CDPHE), mentioned in a statement.

He’s now isolating and receiving the influenza antiviral drug tamiflu, per CDC steerage. There are not any recognized instances of this specific H5N1 flu virus spreading amongst individuals, the Colorado well being division mentioned, including that the affected flock has been euthanized and disposed of beneath federal steerage guidelines. Not one of the different employees have examined constructive.

“We need to reassure Coloradans that the chance to them is low,” state epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy, mentioned within the state well being division assertion. “I’m grateful for the seamless collaboration between CDC, Division of Corrections, Division of Agriculture and CDPHE, as we proceed to watch this virus and defend all Coloradans.”

That is solely the second human case of this specific pressure of avian flu worIdwide: In December 2021, the U.Ok. reported an asymptomatic case of bird flu in an individual who raised poultry, the CDC mentioned.

The company famous it has been intently waiting for sickness amongst individuals uncovered to birds contaminated with the virus ever since outbreaks of H5N1 had been first detected in wild birds and poultry in late 2021 and early 2022.

CDC officers mentioned they’ve already tracked the well being of greater than 2,500 individuals with exposures to those birds. The virus has been present in business and yard birds in 29 states to this point, whereas it has been present in wild birds in 34 states, the CDC mentioned.

If a number of experiences of H5N1 an infection in individuals from publicity to birds or unfold between an contaminated human and one other particular person happens, that may be a sign of a public well being danger, the CDC mentioned.

Well being officers are additionally monitoring H5N1 viruses for any genetic modifications which have been related to adaptation to mammals, whereas taking steps for preparedness and prevention. These embrace turning an current candidate vaccine into one for individuals if wanted, the CDC mentioned.

Whereas the opposite individuals concerned within the culling operation in Colorado have examined unfavorable for H5 virus an infection, they’re being retested out of an abundance of warning, the CDC added. Individuals who have job-related or leisure exposures to contaminated birds ought to observe specific precautions as a result of they’re at larger danger.

Greater than 880 human infections with earlier H5N1 viruses have been reported since 2003 worldwide. The predominant H5N1 viruses now circulating amongst birds globally are completely different from earlier H5N1 viruses, the CDC famous.

Sicknesses from individuals with previous chicken flu infections have ranged from gentle to extreme, and may typically end in dying. The unfold of earlier H5N1 viruses from one contaminated particular person to an in depth contact had been uncommon, and they didn’t led to sustained person-to-person unfold.

The CDC advisable that folks keep away from contact with poultry that seem unwell or are useless. They need to additionally keep away from contact with surfaces contaminated with chicken feces. Put on gloves and wash your palms with cleaning soap and water when you should deal with unwell or useless birds. Put on a medical face masks and eye safety, resembling goggles, if out there, the company mentioned.

It’s suitable for eating poultry and eggs that has been dealt with correctly and are cooked to an inner temperature of 165° F, which kills viruses, together with H5N1, the company famous.

Extra info

The U.S. Division of Agriculture has extra on avian influenza.

SOURCE: U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, information launch, April 28, 2022

By Cara Murez and Robin Foster HealthDay Reporters