CDC on high alert for bird flu pandemic 'red flags' in US
The CDC is closely monitoring bird flu cases and keeping a watchful eye for any indications of a pandemic.
According to a report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are closely monitoring "red flags" related to the bird flu and the possibility of the illness becoming a pandemic.
The CDC is pausing updates on human cases of bird flu in the U.S. until January 3rd, with the latest numbers showing 66 confirmed cases.
"The CDC is looking for genetic changes in circulating viruses that suggest it could better spread between humans, as indicated by the identification of epidemiologically linked clusters of influenza A(H5N1) human cases."
The CDC is closely monitoring red flags such as person-to-person outbreaks and evidence of virus mutations, according to Newsweek.
The CDC announced that a patient in Louisiana who was hospitalized with severe bird flu illness had a mutated version of the virus, which fell into the red flag category, according to a CDC spokesperson.
The CDC announced on its website that a low frequency mutation was found in the hemagglutinin gene of a patient's sample, which was not present in poultry samples collected on the patient's property, indicating that the changes occurred after infection.
The agency stated that although low frequency changes in humans are infrequent, they have been observed in previous cases of A(H5N1) in other countries and typically occur during severe illness.
The CDC did not promptly respond to a Planet Chronicle Digital inquiry, but earlier stated that there is no evidence of the virus spreading from the Louisiana patient to anyone else.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development states that avian influenza, or HPAI, is a highly contagious virus that can spread among flocks through contact with infected animals, equipment, and the clothing and shoes of caretakers.
State officials confirmed infected flocks in two additional Michigan counties on Monday.
The risk of avian influenza to public health is low, as per the CDC. No HPAI-infected birds or bird products will enter the commercial food chain.
This report was contributed to by Planet Chronicle' Alexandra Koch, Melissa Rudy, and the Associated Press.
health
You might also like
- To detect more bird flu cases, the CDC advises quicker 'subtyping'.
- The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago has suffered losses due to bird flu, with both a flamingo and a seal succumbing to the illness.
- New diagnoses increase for certain cancer groups, despite decline in death rates, according to report.
- The FDA has banned red food dye, while the health effects of wildfires are being studied.
- Nutritionists express disappointment over the long-awaited red food dye ban: 'It should have happened sooner'