Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Outbreak in Dairy Cows and Other Animals: A Multistate Crisis

Multiple (United States) United States of America
Annual flu vaccines do not provide protection against avian influenza viruses like H5N1.
As of July 11, the virus has affected over 99 million poultry, over 9,500 wild birds, and over 145 dairy herds in the US.
Avian influenza A(H5N1) virus outbreaks reported in dairy cows and other animals in the US since April 2024.
CDC recommends avoiding exposures to sick or dead animals and materials contaminated by birds or animals with suspected or confirmed H5N1 virus.
CDC reports a total of 151 affected dairy cow herds in 12 states as of July 12, 2024.
First human case reported on April 1, 2024, in Texas.
H5N1 virus detected in several countries and spreading between cows through contaminated milking equipment.
Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Outbreak in Dairy Cows and Other Animals: A Multistate Crisis

In recent months, there have been reports of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus outbreaks in dairy cows and other animals in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of July 12, 2024, a total of 151 dairy cow herds in 12 states have confirmed cases of this virus. The first human case was reported on April 1, 2024, in Texas. CDC is working with the USDA, FDA, state public health and animal health officials, and other partners to respond to this multistate outbreak using a One Health approach.

The H5N1 virus has also been detected in several other countries. Researchers suggest that it may be spreading between cows through contaminated milking equipment (Nature, 2024). To prepare for a potential pandemic, many nations are ramping up surveillance and purchasing or developing new vaccines.

As of July 11, the H5N1 virus has affected more than 99 million poultry, more than 9,500 wild birds, and more than 145 dairy herds in the United States. Currently, only governmental health departments are providing H5N1 avian influenza testing for humans (Fox News, 2024).

It is important to avoid exposures to sick or dead animals, animal poop, unpasteurized milk, and materials that have been touched by or close to birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed A(H5N1) virus if possible (CDC, 2024).

The CDC recommends getting vaccinated against influenza each year to protect against seasonal flu viruses. However, the agency also notes that annual flu vaccines do not provide protection against avian influenza viruses like H5N1.

Stay informed about the latest developments in this outbreak by checking reliable sources such as the CDC and WHO websites regularly.


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Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Are there any effective treatments for humans infected with the H5N1 virus?
  • Is the H5N1 virus spreading between cows through other means besides contaminated milking equipment?
  • What is the current status of vaccine development or acquisition by various nations?

Sources

93%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

In a potential outbreak, is bird flu testing available for humans? What to know

Fox News Media Melissa Rudy Saturday, 13 July 2024 04:12
  • Unique Points
    • Several people have tested positive for bird flu in the US since 2022
    • As of July 11, H5N1 virus has affected more than 99 million poultry, more than 9,500 wild birds and more than 145 dairy herds
    • Currently, only governmental health departments are providing H5N1 avian influenza testing
    • There are currently no consumer-level tests for bird flu available
  • Accuracy
    • Currently, only governmental health departments are providing H5N1 avian influenza testing (FoxNews)
    • Testing of exposed people who develop symptoms is happening at the state or local level, and CDC conducts confirmatory testing (CDC)
    • There are currently no consumer-level tests for bird flu available (FoxNews)
  • Deception (80%)
    The article provides accurate information about the availability of bird flu testing for humans. However, it does use sensational language in the title and throughout the article to grab readers' attention. The author also uses selective reporting by focusing on the limited availability of tests and not mentioning that antiviral medication can be used to treat avian flu even without a definitive test result.
    • Neal Barnard, M.D., an adjunct professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, confirmed there are currently no consumer-level tests for bird flu.
    • Several people have tested positive for bird flu in the U.S., raising questions about the availability of tests in the event of a potential outbreak.
    • As of July 11, the H5N1 virus has affected more than 99 million poultry, more than 9,500 wild birds and more than 145 dairy herds.
    • Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account - free of charge.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

CDC A(H5N1) Bird Flu Response Update, July 12, 2024

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Saturday, 13 July 2024 04:14
  • Unique Points
    • The CDC provides an update on the multistate outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in dairy cows and other animals in the United States.
    • Four human cases of A(H5N1) infection associated with this outbreak in U.S. dairy cows have been reported.
    • As of July 12, 2024, 151 dairy cow herds in 12 U.S. states have confirmed cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infections in dairy cows.
    • The first human case of H5N1 bird flu linked to an outbreak in dairy cows in the United States was reported on April 1, 2024, in Texas.
    • CDC is working with the USDA, FDA, state public health and animal health officials, and other partners using a One Health approach.
    • Eight licenses for commercial H5 tests have been completed by CDC’s Technology Transfer Office.
    • Testing of exposed people who develop symptoms is happening at the state or local level, and CDC conducts confirmatory testing.
    • Since March 24, 2024, more than 32,000 specimens have been tested at public health labs that would have detected influenza A(H5) or other novel influenza viruses.
    • CDC recommends avoiding exposures to sick or dead animals, animal poop, unpasteurized milk, and materials that have been touched by or close to birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed A(H5N1) virus if possible.
    • As of July 12, 2024, more than 1,390 people have been monitored as a result of their exposure to infected or potentially infected animals.
  • Accuracy
    • As of July 12, 2024, more than 32,000 specimens have been tested at public health labs that would have detected influenza A(H5) or other novel influenza viruses.
    • Only the CDC and certain jurisdictional public health laboratories are equipped to test for and diagnose bird flu.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Bird flu could become a human pandemic. How are countries preparing?

Nature Magazine Mallapaty, Smriti Saturday, 13 July 2024 04:15
  • Unique Points
    • Avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in 145 cattle herds and 4 farm workers in the United States.
    • Researchers suggest that the virus is spreading between cows through contaminated milking equipment.
    • Efforts to prepare for a potential pandemic include risk assessments, modelling and outbreak predictions.
  • Accuracy
    • The biggest risk is that the virus could evolve to infect mammals more effectively, including through the respiratory system.
    • Vaccinating people is a key focus of pandemic preparedness efforts.
    • The World Health Organization initiated a review of available influenza candidate vaccines that would work against the H5N1 virus circulating in cattle.
    • Finland began vaccinating people against avian influenza, focusing on high-risk workers at fur and poultry farms.
    • Researchers are developing vaccines using mRNA technology which are more expensive but quicker to manufacture and their formulation can be updated to target emerging strains.
    • The HHS announced that it had provided Moderna with US$176 million to develop an mRNA-based vaccine against H5 influenza.
    • Countries including the United States are investigating the possibility of vaccinating cattle to reduce transmission.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication