US Information
By Alyssa Guzman
Printed
March 9, 2024, 4:25 p.m. ET
Fears that people might sometime catch avian flu have heightened because the virus been contracted by mammals, the USDA introduced.
Three states — Washington, Montana, and Kentucky — have reported instances of fowl flu in mammals up to now this yr. Washington reported three striped skunks have the virus, whereas Montana discovered it in a mountain lion, and Kentucky had a raccoon, in keeping with the USDA.
The virus is already widespread amongst wild birds and particularly poultry for many years, with greater than 82 million animals at the moment affected throughout 48 states.
Three states — Washington, Montana, and Kentucky — have reported instances of fowl flu in mammals up to now this yr, sparking fears the virus may finally make it to people. REUTERS
Now that it has unfold to mammals, the worry of people catching the virus has spiked, regardless that danger is at the moment low.
“I believe it’s fairly probably,” Dr. Chris Walzer, with the Wildlife Conservation Society, advised CBS Information. “This avian influenza outbreak has been one of many largest threats to wildlife globally. We simply can’t anticipate it to hit human populations.”
Walzer is asking for higher monitoring of the illness to assist defend people from the virus as it’s buying “new traits that would create an issue for us people,” he stated.
Scientists all over the place at the moment are being urged to observe for indicators of avian flu’s unfold, in keeping with CBS Information.
The virus has effected tens of millions of birds and poultry over a long time, however docs assume it’s solely a matter of time earlier than people get it. REUTERS
The fowl flu has additionally been present in marine animals in South America, in keeping with a brand new examine printed in Rising Infectious Ailments.
Analysis used genomic testing and located practically similar samples of the virus in 4 sea lions and a seal, in keeping with the Wildlife Society.
The virus has brought on US egg costs to surge as California’s large poultry business has been struck. Dawn Farms in Sonoma County needed to slaughter its complete flock of 550,000 hens, per authorities guidelines. AP
In Argentina, Chile, and Peru alone, H5N1 has killed at the least 600,000 wild birds and 50,000 mammals since 2022.
The virus has brought on US egg costs to surge as California’s large poultry business has been struck.
Dawn Farms in Sonoma County needed to slaughter complete flock of 550,000 hens, per authorities guidelines.
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