A single sheep in Yorkshire, England tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus, marking the first known case of the virus in sheep globally. The infected animal was culled, and biosecurity measures were immediately implemented to prevent further spread. While the risk to livestock and the public remains low, officials urge animal owners to maintain strict cleanliness and report any signs of infection. Experts continue to monitor the virus’s evolution and spread across various animal species, emphasizing the low risk of human-to-human transmission.
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Two individuals, one in Wyoming and one in Ohio, were hospitalized with H5N1 bird flu, highlighting the virus’s potential severity. The Wyoming patient, exposed to infected poultry, remains hospitalized, while the Ohio patient, exposed during poultry depopulation, has recovered. These cases underscore concerns about reassortment with seasonal flu, potentially creating a pandemic-capable virus, given the current severe flu season. Prior H1N1 infection may offer some cross-protection, but its extent remains uncertain.
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H5N1 bird flu has spilled over into dairy cows in Nevada and Arizona, raising concerns about the virus’s spread and containment. The D1.1 variant, responsible for these spillovers and several human infections, is now considered endemic in cows, making containment unlikely without intervention. Experts propose several transmission theories, including bird-to-cow contact via contaminated feed and potentially human-to-cow spread. Simultaneously, reduced federal funding, anti-vaccine initiatives, and halted communication with the WHO hinder effective response and research efforts.
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A CDC study, delayed amidst a communication freeze, reveals evidence of undetected H5N1 bird flu transmission from cattle to humans, with three veterinarians testing positive for antibodies despite lacking symptoms. The findings highlight inadequate surveillance, particularly given a veterinarian’s positive result in a state without reported cattle infections. This underscores the difficulty in tracking human infections, emphasizing the need for improved surveillance of cattle and dairy workers to prevent future outbreaks. The low number of detected cases may reflect limitations in current testing methods, suggesting a higher prevalence of undiagnosed infections.
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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently awarded Moderna a substantial $590 million grant to accelerate the development of an mRNA vaccine against avian influenza, specifically the H5N1 strain. This significant investment underscores the growing concern surrounding the potential for a widespread bird flu outbreak.
The high mortality rate associated with H5N1, particularly among elderly individuals and young children, is a major cause for alarm. Estimates suggest a mortality rate nearing 50% in these vulnerable populations, raising the specter of a severely strained healthcare system, especially considering the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on already overburdened hospitals, particularly in rural areas.… Continue reading
The H5N1 strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was detected in a commercial poultry flock in Elbert County, Georgia, marking the first such case in a commercial operation during the current outbreak. This is the fifth detection in Georgia since 2022, prompting a suspension of all in-state poultry events. The discovery follows a previous human death from H5N1 in Louisiana, highlighting the virus’s ongoing threat. The Georgia Department of Agriculture and the USDA are working to contain the spread and minimize disruption to the poultry industry.
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Louisiana reported the first U.S. death from the H5N1 bird flu virus, an individual over 65 with pre-existing health conditions who contracted the virus from backyard birds in December. While 66 H5N1 cases have been confirmed nationwide, most were mild; this case is unique due to its severity and the individual’s infection from a strain distinct from that affecting cattle. Genetic analysis revealed potential adaptations in the virus, enabling enhanced binding to human upper airway cells, though no evidence of human-to-human transmission exists.
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A Canadian teenager fully recovered from H5N1 bird flu after a severe illness requiring intensive care, including ECMO and antiviral treatments. Genetic analysis revealed concerning mutations in the virus, suggesting increased ability to infect human cells and cause severe disease. This case, along with 45 others in the U.S. in 2024, highlights the ongoing risk of H5N1, particularly given the observed mutations. The virus’s adaptation in the human host raises concerns about potential for more severe future infections.
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Sixty-six human cases of H5N1 bird flu have been confirmed in the U.S., although no human-to-human transmission has been detected. A concerning mutation in the virus, discovered in a severe Louisiana case, raises fears of increased human transmissibility, despite the majority of cases presenting mild symptoms. The outbreak has severely impacted the egg industry, driving prices to near-record highs, and prompted a cat food recall due to bird flu contamination. While the CDC emphasizes that person-to-person spread remains absent, the situation continues to be closely monitored.
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Marin County health officials are investigating a potential H5N1 bird flu case in a child, the second such case in California this year. The investigation, involving state and federal agencies, aims to determine the child’s exposure source, which remains unknown in several recent U.S. cases. This potential case, if confirmed, would be the 61st human case of H5N1 in the U.S. in 2024 and the third with an unknown source of infection. The ongoing investigation includes consideration of recently recalled raw milk, though a direct link to transmission is unconfirmed.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood