It hasnt been confirmed definitively whether the sea lions are spreading the virus to each other or are contracting it from birds or H5N1-infected water. The good news about H5N1 for humans is that it currently doesnt spread well between people. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. A key part of the challenge, Webby says, is that like the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the avian flu virus has spun off several variants of concern. The bird flu outbreak is spilling over into mammals - USA Today In 2015, an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N8 in the U.S. led to the culling of 50 million poultry birds. "Wild birds are the perfect mechanism to spread a virus because they, of course, fly everywhere," he adds. A man weighs and checks his flock of white turkeys at his family's farm last year in Townsend, Del. Viruses are notoriously quick to mutate. More information about this case is, The detections of H5 viruses in wild birds, poultry, some mammals, and in one person in the United States do not change the risk to the general publics health, which CDC considers to be low. The viruss prevalence in the wild presents new challenges for its containment. And while the risk of the virus spilling over into humans remains low, scientists say communities will feel the consequences of such a serious and lengthy outbreak for months to come. After the migrating gull came ashore, the highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as the H5N1 virus, exploded across North America. Bird flu is transmitted mainly by wild birds, like these snow geese. The worst outbreak of avian influenza on record is threatening to stretch into a second year, as the U.S. races to contain a virus that has already caused some food prices to soar amid a shortage of eggs. said Jennifer Mullinax, assistant professor in the UMD Department of Environmental Science & Technology and a co-author of the study. Avian Influenza | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - FWS.gov This webpage will be updated at 2 PM EST each Wednesday to reflect any new data posted in the previous week. People with job-related or recreational exposures to birds or infected mammals should take. 'Incredibly concerning': Bird flu outbreak at Spanish mink farm The primary natural hosts and reservoir of AI viruses are wild waterfowl, such as ducks and geese. Avian flu outbreak in U.S. worst on record, over 50 million birds dead IE 11 is not supported. newsletter for analysis you wont find anywhereelse. Northern pintail ducks are among the types of birds that H5N1 bird flu virus infections have been identified in the United States in 2022. Reports are seasonal, with a peak in February and a low point in September. "Generally you need two doses of a vaccine and then a length of time to achieve full effectiveness.". Thus, to become efficient at infecting humans, H5N1 would likely need to mutate to use a2,6-linked sialic acid as its receptor. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails. But she notes that U.S. egg prices can be affected if just a few farms have to dispose of their flocks. Influenza viruses are common among wild aquatic birds, which often show no symptoms despite being infected. Mario Tama/Getty Images "Why this bird flu is different: Scientists say new avian influenza requires urgent coordinated response." Thats how the virus can go from Asia to Europe to North America all the way around the world, He said. The most important mutational changes affect the tissue tropism of the virus its ability to infect a specific part of the body. At least 50.54 million birds have died this year from the Avian flu, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.. Why it matters: This represents the highest amount of deaths of chickens, turkeys and other birds since 50.5 million died from an outbreak in 2015, according to Reuters. Although declaring a disease endemic is a complicated process, the authors of the study suggest that the U.S. will likely follow patterns seen in Europe where highly pathogenic avian influenza is already being treated as an endemic disease rather than something that can be eradicated. Though human infection is currently rare, efficient transmission between farmed minks in Spain raises concerns about potential human transmission. California condor deaths: 20 birds dead amid avian flu outbreak - USA Today Illness in humans from all bird flu virus infections has ranged in severity from no symptoms or mild illness to severe disease that resulted in death. As a result of recurrent outbreaks, U.S. egg inventories were 29 percent lower in the final week of December 2022 than at the beginning of the year. Learn what to do if you have contact with infected birds and become sick. H5N1 bird flu - should we be worried? | World Economic Forum Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily, its staff, its contributors, or its partners. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. Bird flu infections in people are rare, but possible. "It's difficult to estimate how many birds are truly affected across wild populations, but we're seeing dramatic disease impacts in raptors, sea birds and colonial nesting birds. HPAI viruses cause high mortality in poultry, and occasionally in some wild birds. The US is no stranger to the impact of the disease, with the H5N8 strain having led to the culling of 50 million birds in 2015. The virus that worries them is H5N1, a form of avian influenza, or bird flu. What are the triggers for different actions, and how do we measure if we're succeeding? The Biden administration is considering vaccinating farmed poultry flocks, but the logistics could be quite complicated. March 6, 2023. University of Maryland. Sporadic human cases of H5N1 reported with H5N1 viruses circulating in birds since 2021 have occurred following exposure to infected poultry. But when you actually go on the inside and take a look, the viruses we have here are quite different now from what was in Europe.". "A lot of countries don't use vaccines for this virus in their poultry," Webby says. A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Learn more. What is the World Economic Forum doing about fighting pandemics? The virus can take commercial poultry farms out of commission for extended periods. Bird Flu is Killing Off the World's Birds - New York Times Though most cases were detected in Oregon, positive . Avian Flu Spread in the U.S. Worries Poultry Industry - New York Times "One of the big complications is timing on a vaccine," Hagerman says. USDA ERS - Chart Detail Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. Saving Lives, Protecting People, 1 case in U.S. after exposure to infected birds, Human Infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in Chile, Human Infection with Avian Influenza A(H3N8) Virus Reported by China, Technical Report: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses, If you have contact with infected birds and become sick, Clinician, laboratorian or public health worker, Highlights in the History of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Timeline 2020-2023, Avian Influenza: Information for Health Professionals and Laboratorians, USDA: Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, USDA: Distribution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in North America, Technical Report: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses (cdc.gov), Human Infection With Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Chile (cdc.gov), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Bird Flu Detections Reporting in Wild Birds, Bird Flu Detections Reporting in Backyard and Commercial Birds, Frequently Asked Questions about Avian Influenza, Spread of Bird Flu Viruses Between Animals and People, Past Examples of Probable Limited, Non-Sustained, Person-to-Person Spread of Avian Influenza A Viruses, Reported Human Infections with Avian Influenza A Viruses, Information for People Exposed to Birds Infected with Avian Influenza Viruses of Public Health Concern, Recommendations for Worker Protection and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Self-Observation Instructions for Demobilizing Bird Flu Responders, Highlights in the History of Avian Influenza, Questions & Answers: H5N1 Genetic Change Inventory, Interim Guidance on Testing, Specimen Collection, and Processing for Patients with Suspected Infection with Novel Influenza A Viruses with the Potential to Cause Severe Disease in Humans, Diagnostics for Detecting H7N9 Using rRT-PCR, Infection Control Within Healthcare Settings for Patients with Novel Influenza A Viruses, For Clinicians: Evaluating and Managing Patients, Use of Antiviral Medications for Treatment of Human Infections with Novel Influenza A Viruses, Antiviral Chemoprophylaxis of Persons Exposed to Birds with Avian Influenza A Viruses, Follow-up of Close Contacts of Persons Infected with Novel Influenza A Viruses and Use of Antiviral Chemoprophylaxis, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. HPAI caused high mortality in poultry, but infections were sporadic and contained. A truck drives out the entrance of the Cold Springs Eggs Farm where the presence of avian influenza was reported to be discovered, forcing the commercial egg producer to destroy nearly 3 million chickens on March 24, 2022 near Palmyra, Wisconsin. Original written by Kimbra Cutlip. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Nothing like this has happened in the past and the question is what has changed?. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. The US is currently experiencing its worst-ever outbreak of bird flu, also known as avian influenza and a new study has found that the strain could become endemic in the country. Many virologists are concerned that this virus could spill over to humans and cause a new human pandemic. The viruses are from clade 2.3.4.4b,** which is the most common H5N1 bird flu virus worldwide at this time. "Good decision science is what you do when you don't know what is going to happen next," said Mullinax, who teaches decision-making science. "Rarely, we see crossover from birds into humans, with the current circulating . The dynamics of the spread of avian influenza viruses are very complex. AI viruses are classified by a combination of two groups of proteins: hemagglutinin or "H" proteins, of which there . Poultry can become infected through direct exposure to wild birds but more likely from fecal matter that contaminates the ground around farms or yards. CDC twenty four seven. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230419125054.htm (accessed April 30, 2023). No human illnesses have been associated with this virus in North America. Previous outbreaks of avian influenza -- whether low pathogenic virus that is endemic in the U.S. or highly pathogenic H5N8 in 2015 -- typically occurred in the fall, which meant farmers could . The first reason that so much attention is being paid to bird flu right now is that currently H5N1 is causing the largest bird pandemic ever recorded. The more than 50,000 mink at the facility were killed and their carcasses destroyed. Human infections with bird flu viruses have most often occurred after close or lengthy unprotected contact (i.e., not wearing gloves or respiratory protection or eye protection) with infected birds or places that sick birds or their saliva, mucous and feces have touched. There are only a small handful of examples of human-to-human spread. That includes millions of chickens and turkeys in barns and backyards that had been raised to provide eggs or meat. Comparing the current U.S. virus to the one in Europe, Webby says, "From the outside looking in, they look very similar. In January, Insider's George Glover explained the egg crisis facing Americans as prices surged by almost 60% in 2022 due to the influenza outbreak . An outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza that started in 2021 has become the largest bird flu outbreak in history, both in the U.S. and worldwide. Now that the virus is here, it shows no sign of going away. But the disease was eradicated in North America that same year, largely because it did not seriously impact wild birds, which made containment through culling poultry relatively easy. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. A flock of pintail ducks flying in winter. If allowed to spread unfettered, the pathogen could evolve in such a way that makes it more devastating or harder to control. More information about bird flu in humans is available at Bird Flu Virus Infections in Humans. Virus can be fatal. Avian flu outbreak in the Gambia threatens birds on East Atlantic That doesnt seem like much of a genetic obstacle. IE 11 is not supported. Record avian flu outbreak is threatening North America's - Science Experts found the H5N1 Eurasian strain, a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus type. .chakra .wef-facbof{display:inline;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-facbof{display:block;}}You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails. USDA APHIS | Avian Influenza