First Detection of H5N1 Avian Flu in California Wastewater and Ongoing Outbreaks in Dairy Herds: A Summary

San Francisco, California United States of America
CDC posted its strategy for enhanced flu surveillance over the summer due to ongoing activity in cows, poultry, and other animals
Fragments of the virus were detected in the city's wastewater
Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Cherokee County following a highly pathogenic avian flu outbreak at a commercial turkey farm
H5N1 avian flu detected in California wastewater for the first time
Ongoing outbreaks of H5N1 influenza in dairy herds reported in Michigan and Texas
Scientists reported findings on a massive 2023 H5N1 outbreak in Argentina's elephant seals with evidence of mammal-to-mammal transmission and 18 mutations possibly linked to increased virulence, transmission, or adaptation to mammals
Significant levels of the virus detected at three treatment plants in communities where H5N1 had been detected in cattle
Three human cases of bird flu reported nationwide among people who work with dairy cows
Total number of identified outbreaks is 80
Two chickens at a live bird market in San Francisco tested positive for H5N1 avian flu
WastewaterSCAN team at Stanford University developed an H5 probe to test wastewater for the presence of H5 influenza viruses
First Detection of H5N1 Avian Flu in California Wastewater and Ongoing Outbreaks in Dairy Herds: A Summary

Two recent developments related to H5N1 avian flu have emerged in the United States. In California, two chickens at a live bird market in San Francisco tested positive for H5N1 avian flu last month, and fragments of the virus were detected in the city's wastewater. This marks the first detection of H5N1 avian flu in California's municipal wastewater.

In other news, Michigan and Texas continue to grapple with outbreaks of H5N1 influenza in dairy herds. The latest reports from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) indicate that 13 more outbreaks have been identified in these states, bringing the total number to 80.

The WastewaterSCAN team at Stanford University has developed an H5 probe to test wastewater for the presence of H5 influenza viruses. The group recently reported significant levels of the virus at three treatment plants in communities where H5N1 had been detected in cattle. However, it's important to note that the test is not specific to H5N1 and can pick up low-pathogenic H5 influenza viruses as well.

In Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Cherokee County following a highly pathogenic avian flu outbreak at a commercial turkey farm. The declaration allows state agency resources to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection. Commercial vehicles responding to affected sites are also exempt from certain rules.

Scientists have reported findings on a massive 2023 H5N1 outbreak in Argentina's elephant seals. They identified evidence of mammal-to-mammal transmission and 18 mutations possibly linked to increased virulence, transmission, or adaptation to mammals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently posted its strategy for enhanced flu surveillance over the summer due to ongoing activity in cows, poultry, and other animals. The agency also reported three human cases of bird flu nationwide, all among people who work with dairy cows.

It's important to remember that there is no threat to public health from cooked poultry or eggs as the virus cannot survive temperatures above 165°F (74°C). If you have a pet bird, practice good hygiene and clean their cage regularly. Monitor their health closely for any signs of illness.


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Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Are there any reports on how long the H5N1 virus has been present in California's wastewater?
  • Is it confirmed that the H5N1 virus detected in California is the same strain as those causing outbreaks in dairy herds?

Sources

95%

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

H5N1 bird flu detected in SF, first in California city wastewater

San Francisco Chronicle Aidin Vaziri Monday, 03 June 2024 19:00
  • Unique Points
    • Two chickens at a live bird market in San Francisco tested positive for H5N1 avian flu last month
    • WastewaterSCAN detected fragments of H5 genetic material in San Francisco’s wastewater, making it the only municipality in California with a positive avian flu detection
  • Accuracy
    • WastewaterSCAN detected fragments of H5 genetic material in San Francisco’s wastewater
    • As of now, no cases of infected herds have been reported in California
  • 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

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

H5 influenza wastewater dashboard launches

Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) Tuesday, 04 June 2024 06:37
  • Unique Points
    • Wastewater positives mostly from affected states: Michigan and Texas, where H5N1 had been detected in dairy cows.
    • Governor Reynolds’ disaster proclamation allows state agency resources to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection. Waives rules for commercial vehicles that respond to affected sites.
    • USDA-APHIS reported 13 more H5N1 outbreaks in dairy herds, all from previously affected states: Idaho (8), Michigan (4), and South Dakota (1).
    • Scientists reported findings on a massive 2023 H5N1 outbreak in Argentina’s elephant seals, describing evidence of mammal-to-mammal transmission and 18 mutations possibly linked to increased virulence, transmission, or adaptation to mammals.
  • Accuracy
    • As of now, no cases of infected herds have been reported in California.
  • 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

91%

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 Has Arrived In SF; Two Chickens Test Positive, Traces of Virus Found In Wastewater

sfist.com Joe Kukura Monday, 03 June 2024 22:27
  • Unique Points
    • Two chickens at a local live animal market in San Francisco have tested positive for H5N1 avian flu.
    • H5N1 avian flu fragments have been detected in San Francisco wastewater samples.
  • Accuracy
    • No human cases of bird flu have been reported in San Francisco.
  • Deception (80%)
    The author uses emotional manipulation by stating 'It might be time to reevaluate that assessment.' and 'But it sounds concerning.' to create fear in the reader. The author also engages in selective reporting by only mentioning the presence of bird flu in chickens and wastewater, while omitting information about other animals that may carry the virus. The author also implies a potential threat to public health without providing any concrete evidence or data.
    • But it sounds concerning.
    • It might be time to reevaluate that assessment.
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority when quoting Dr. George Han stating 'There is no threat to public health at this time' and 'There have been no human cases.' However, the author also mentions that three people have been infected with a strain of the virus nationwide, which contradicts Han's statement. This creates an inconsistency and weakens the appeal to authority fallacy. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when stating 'It might be time to reevaluate that assessment.' but this does not directly result in a logical fallacy.
    • “There is no threat to public health at this time,”
    • “There have been no human cases.”
  • 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