'It could happen very quickly': CDC sounds alarm on avian flu strain; Doctors discuss concerns
Impacting birds and cattle across the country, the CDC notified doctors and farms of the potentially deadly influenza strain
Impacting birds and cattle across the country, the CDC notified doctors and farms of the potentially deadly influenza strain
Impacting birds and cattle across the country, the CDC notified doctors and farms of the potentially deadly influenza strain
The CDC sounded the alarm on the new strain of avian flu, impacting birds and cattle across the country, notifying doctors and farms of the potentially deadly influenza strain. Doctors at Memorial Health Wednesday say that there is little concern for humans.
“Out of all the medical problems and infections that we’re facing right now, this one has the most potential to do the most harm, and it can happen very quickly," Dr. Timothy Connelly, a physician at Memorial Health.
It is called the H5N1 Bird Flu and is primarily transmissible between avian species, such as wild birds and poultry. At the end of March, the CDC sent a notice that they've confirmed cases in Texas of avian flu in cattle.
"They presumed the cow for it from a bird, but it has been jumping species," said Connelly.
H5N1 made its first appearance in 2016 and has since spread to 48 other states, including Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. Although, the CDC detected the first human case in Colorado in 2022.
"Why is this not a concern," said WJCL 22 News' AJ Sisson.
"Because we really haven't seen humans from it at this point," said Connelly.
Most recently, the CDC confirmed a case in a human of H5N1 in Texas just last month. The person is a dairy worker, who works closely with cattle and came in contact with one of the infected cows. He did not go to the hospital.
"The scientific community is obviously very concerned, it's not something to be alarmed about at this point," said Connelly. "It doesn't spread particularly easy from human to human."
Symptoms between H5N1 and the normal annual influenza are mostly the same - cough, fever, and conjunctivitis to name a few - except the avian flu owns a 50% mortality rate in humans. However, only two Americans have ever been infected with H5N1.
Connelly suggests that people, who may contract H5N1, should receive treatment within 48 hours, similar to the flu, and that people, if nothing else next year, should get their flu shot.
“Most doctor offices can test you for flu, urgent care, emergency departments, they can all test you for flu. If you start treatment within 48 hours, it’s very effective at limiting the duration and severity of the illness.”
WJCL 22 News contacted local poultry distributors and either did not hear back or could not answer questions, per the USDA's request.