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https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/tests-confirm-avian-flu-new-mexico-dairy-farm-probe-finds-cats-positive

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CIDRAP

Tests confirm avian flu on New Mexico dairy farm; probe finds cats positive
Lisa Schnirring
April 2, 2024

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service yesterday announced that tests have now confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a New Mexico dairy herd and that the virus has now been confirmed in five more Texas dairy herds.

Part of quickly evolving developments, the announcement came shortly after Texas health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the first human case, which involves a person from Texas who had contact with dairy cattle, highlighting the risk to farm workers.

And in another development, Texas officials yesterday said that cats showing illness signs in the dairy farm settings were also positive for the virus.

So far, the virus has now been confirmed on seven Texas farms, along with two in Kansas, and one each from New Mexico and Michigan. The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, is working to confirm a presumptive positive from a dairy herd in Idaho.
Cats tested positive in Texas farm sampling

Following yesterday's announcement of the first human H5N1 infection linked to dairy cow exposure, the Texas Department of State Health Services issued a health alert that urged health providers to be vigilant for people with symptoms from H5N1, especially those who have had contact with potentially infected animals.

It also noted that in March, investigators collected samples from several animals in Texas and Kansas. Wild birds, cats, and dairy cows were tested because they showed illness signs. "Further testing of these samples indicated the presence of avian influenza A(H5N1)," the TDSHS said. A press officer from the TDSHS confirmed in an e-mail that sick cats tested positive for the virus.

The Texas Animal Health Commission said in an e-mail that it has received lab confirmation of HPAI for three cats.

Wild birds on affected farms had earlier tested positive for H5N1, and evidence is growing that the virus may be spreading cow to cow. Investigations are still underway to sort out how the virus is spreading on farms, which includes identifying the extent of virus circulation in other animals or wildlife.

Cats are among the mammals previously known be contract H5N1, with infections reported in the United States, Poland, and South Korea.
Genetic sequencing yields more information

Virologists are also looking for clues as genetic sequences in US ruminants and wild birds are uploaded to public databases.

Louise Moncla, PhD, assistant professor of pathobiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, yesterday said on X (formerly known as Twitter) that USDA scientists have rapidly sequenced full genomes and that she and her collaborators have added them to the Nextstrain visualization tool, which allows scientists to map the family tree of virus sequences.

She said sequences from the dairy cows nest with those from wild bird samples collected from Texas about the same time. However, the goat samples from Minnesota are most similar to a pheasant sequence from Colorado.

Moncla said none of the PB2 sequences have known adaptive markers, and the similarity of internal genes from wild bird and cattle sequences suggest direct transmission from wild birds.

The cases are unusual, because influenza A had never been reported in ruminants before, she said. "Following up on these cows, and keeping an eye on other species will be important going forward."

Who's most at risk on dairy farms?

Federal health officials have said the avian flu outbreaks in dairy herds and the new infection in Texas doesn't change its threat assessment, which is low for the public. They have also emphasized the safety of the nation's milk supply due to safety nets including pasteurization, while warning against drinking raw milk that can harbor pathogens.

In the latest Moos Room podcast, Joe Armstrong, DVM, a cattle production expert with the University of Minnesota, urged dairy farm operators at farms where the virus is confirmed or suspected to focus on those at greatest risk, especially if personal protective equipment is limited. The Moos Room podcast is part of University of Minnesota Extension outreach.

He said the most at-risk groups are anyone who works with raw milk, including those in milking parlors, employees who work with calves, and people who work with bulk tanks. He also said those with immunocompromised conditions, such as pregnancy, are at greater risk.

Armstrong also urged dairy operators to ensure that workers, including those from other countries who don't speak English as their first language, know the illness symptoms to report. "They may or may not be willing to seek medical help when they need it."

"If you are out there and you have employees who fit that description, you need to be advocating for them and watching out for them," Armstrong said. "Check in with them, make sure everything's OK. Make sure they understand what's happening."

Note: This story was updated at 4 pm to include more information on cat samples from the Texas Animal Health Commission.

Related news

This week's top reads

    Tests confirm avian flu on New Mexico dairy farm; probe finds cats positive

    The virus was also confirmed on five more Texas farms, as investigators find more clues from animal samples and genetic sequences.
    Lisa Schnirring
    April 2, 2024
    dairy barn cat
    CDC sequencing of H5N1 avian flu samples from patient yields new clinical clues

    The nasopharyngeal swab didn't suggest upper respiratory involvement, and virus sequencing of the eye sample showed one change that isn't linked to transmission.
    Lisa Schnirring
    April 3, 2024
    conjunctivitis
    Avian flu detections in dairy cows raise more key questions

    Experts wonder if the virus is responsible for all of the symptoms, if the virus can spread from cow to cow, and how the findings might shape farm biosecurity.
    Lisa Schnirring
    March 27, 2024
    dairy cow in creek
    Among fully vaccinated, study shows Paxlovid does not shorten symptoms

    The antiviral drug likely has a gradient of benefit, with those at highest risk most likely to see the greatest benefit, experts say in an editorial.
    Stephanie Soucheray
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    March 28, 2024
    Avian flu detected in Idaho dairy cows

    Some states have already tightened their requirements for importing dairy cattle from affected states.
    Lisa Schnirring
    March 29, 2024
    dairy cows eating feed
    Avian flu infects person exposed to sick cows in Texas

    The patient's only symptom is conjunctivitis, which has been seen before in avian flu infections.
    Lisa Schnirring
    April 1, 2024
    milking at a dairy
    Wastewater testing near homeless camps shows COVID-19 viral mutations

    Analysis of viral sequences uncovered 3 novel viral spike protein mutations.
    Stephanie Soucheray
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    CDC warns of sharp rise in meningitis serogroup Y cases

    Most of the cases involve the ST 1466 strain, which is disproportionately affecting adults ages 30 to 60, Black or African American people, and those with HIV.
    Lisa Schnirring
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    The results suggest that waning SARS-CoV-2 immunity levels over time can lead to reinfections and a new pandemic wave, the authors say.
    Mary Van Beusekom
    March 27, 2024

[...]
CIDRAP - Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy
Research and Innovation Office, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

© 2024 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights Reserved.
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer
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[Rhokia]

47 Tiger, 3 Löwen, 1 Panther in Süd-Vietnam im Zoo an H5N1 gestorben

Das ist das, was man aus Zoos erfährt. Was man nicht erfährt: wieviele Millionen Wildtiere in freier Wildbahn an der Vogelgrippe sterben.

Das weltweite Katzensterben hat begonnen.


Beweisstück zu den Akten:

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/47-tigers-die-in-vietnam-zoos-due-to-h5n1-bird-flu-virus-report-6699812

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47 Tigers Die In Vietnam Zoos Due To H5N1 Bird Flu Virus: Report

The deaths occurred in August and September at the private My Quynh safari park in Long An province and the Vuon Xoai zoo in Dong Nai, near Ho Chi Minh City, the official Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

Agence France-Presse
World News
Oct 02, 2024 15:42 pm IST
Published On Oct 02, 2024 15:42 pm IST
Last Updated On Oct 02, 2024 15:42 pm IST


47 Tigers Die In Vietnam Zoos Due To H5N1 Bird Flu Virus: Report
Vietnam notified the WHO about a human fatality from the virus in March. (Representational)
Hanoi:

Forty-seven tigers, three lions and a panther have died in zoos in south Vietnam due to the H5N1 bird flu virus, state media said Wednesday.

The deaths occurred in August and September at the private My Quynh safari park in Long An province and the Vuon Xoai zoo in Dong Nai, near Ho Chi Minh City, the official Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

According to test results from the National Centre for Animal Health Diagnosis, the animals died "because of H5N1 type A virus", VNA said.

The zoos declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

No zoo staff members in close contact with the animals had experienced respiratory symptoms, the VNA report added.

Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV), an NGO that focuses on wildlife conservation, said there were a total of 385 tigers living in captivity in Vietnam at the end of 2023.

About 310 are kept at 16 privately owned farms and zoos, while the rest are in state-owned facilities.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that since 2022, there have been increasing reports of deadly outbreaks among mammals caused by influenza viruses, including H5N1.

It also says H5N1 infections can range from mild to severe in humans, and in some cases can even be fatal.

Vietnam notified the WHO about a human fatality from the virus in March.

In 2004, dozens of tigers died from bird flu or were culled at the world's largest breeding farm in Thailand
Comments

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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[Rhokia]

Für die Akten:

https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/h5n1-response-09272024.html

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Health Care Providers

    Case Definitions for Investigations of Human Infection with Avian Influenza A Viruses in the United States
    Clinical Overview
    Interim Guidance on the Use of Antiviral Medications for Treatment of Human Infections with Novel Influenza A Viruses Associated with Severe Human Disease
    Clinical Testing and Diagnosis
    Interim Guidance on Influenza Antiviral Chemoprophylaxis of Persons Exposed to Birds with Avian Influenza A Viruses Associated with Severe Human Disease or with the Potential to Cause Severe Human Disease
    Infection Control Guidance
    Considerations for Veterinarians: Evaluating and Handling of Cats Potentially Exposed to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Cats
    Conversation Tips: Unpasteurized (Raw Milk)
    View all

Public Health

    H5N1 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary
    Public Health Strategies for Bird Flu
    Interim Guidance on Specimen Collection and Testing for Patients with Suspected Infection with Novel Influenza A Viruses Associated with Severe Disease or with the Potential to Cause Severe Disease in Humans
    Interim Guidance for Follow-up of Close Contacts of Persons Infected with Novel Influenza A Viruses and Use of Antiviral Medications for Chemoprophylaxis
    H5N1 Technical Report
    View all

September 27, 2024
Español
CDC A(H5N1) Bird Flu Response Update September 27, 2024
What to know

In this week's update, CDC shares an update on the investigation in Missouri; information about updated guidance on the use of personal protective equipment for people working with or exposed to infected animals; and information about a new standardized protocol for subtyping of wastewater samples that test positive for influenza A.
Situation Update

September 27, 2024 – CDC continues to respond to the public health challenge posed by a multistate outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, or "H5N1 bird flu," in dairy cows, poultry and other animals in the United States. CDC is working in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), state public health and animal health officials, and other partners using a One Health approach.

Since April 2024, 14 human cases of avian influenza A(H5) virus infection have been reported in the United States. Four of these cases were associated with exposure to sick dairy cows and nine were associated with exposure to avian influenza A(H5N1) virus-infected poultry. A BThe source of the exposure in the most recent case, which was reported by Missouri on September 6, has not been determined. The immediate risk to the general public from H5 bird flu remains low.

On the animal health side, USDA is reporting that 238 dairy herds in 14 U.S. states have confirmed cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infections in dairy cows as the number of infected herds continues to grow. USDA reports that since April 2024, there have been A(H5) detections in 36 commercial flocks and 23 backyard flocks, for a total of 18.75 million birds affected.

Among other activities previously reported in past spotlights and ongoing, recent highlights of CDC's response to this include:
Missouri Case Update

Missouri continues to lead the investigation into that state's only reported H5 case with technical assistance from CDC in Atlanta. As CDC learns new information from Missouri about its investigation, we are sharing it as quickly as possible in this space to help keep the public up to date. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has not, to date, identified ongoing transmission among close contacts of the case, first reported on September 6, 2024. Missouri identified two health care workers who were exposed to the hospitalized case before droplet precautions were instituted (i.e., higher risk exposure) and subsequently developed mild respiratory symptoms (among 18 workers with this higher risk exposure); one tested negative for influenza by PCR, as previously reported, and the second provided a blood specimen for testing by CDC for potential influenza A(H5N1) antibodies. Missouri has since identified four additional health care workers who later developed mild respiratory symptoms. One of these workers was in the higher risk category and provided a blood specimen for H5 antibody testing. Three of these workers are among 94 workers who were exposed to the hospitalized case of avian influenza A(H5) after droplet precautions were instituted (i.e., lower risk exposure); blood specimens for those who became symptomatic have been collected for H5 antibody testing at CDC. Aside from the one health care worker reported to have tested negative for influenza by PCR, the five remaining exposed health care workers had only mild symptoms and were not tested by PCR for respiratory infections. PCR testing would have been unreliable at the time of discovery of these individuals' prior symptoms. The health care worker monitoring effort has been part of the ongoing investigation as previously reported. Results of serology testing at CDC on the positive case and their previously identified household contact are still pending. To date, only one case of influenza A(H5N1) has been detected in Missouri. No contacts of that case have tested positive for influenza A(H5N1). CDC continues to closely monitor available data from influenza surveillance systems, particularly in affected states, and there has been no sign of unusual influenza activity in people, including in Missouri.
Laboratory Update

CDC has developed a validated protocol for subtyping of wastewater C samples that test positive for influenza A. These assays include primers and probes that target various subtypes, including influenza A, influenza A(H1N1), influenza A(H3), and influenza A(H5). Partner laboratories can use this protocol to bring these assays online and report influenza A virus subtyping data to CDC. Providing partner laboratories with a standardized approach to test wastewater for influenza A subtypes, including influenza A(H5N1), can support a more robust wastewater surveillance system.
Updated Recommendations for Personal Protective Equipment

CDC has issued updated guidance for employers and workers to reduce the risk of Novel Influenza A for people working with or exposed to animals. The updated guidance identifies occupational groups at increased risk of exposure and actions employers can take to protect workers, including additional engineering and administrative control measures, how to identify personal protective equipment (PPE) that meets the safety specifications, and how to mitigate heat stress when wearing PPE in hot environments. Employers can use these updated materials to help prevent workplace exposures to H5N1 bird flu. A new hazard assessment worksheet can help dairy facility employers determine when and how to implement protective measures. Employers can also print, post, and share new fact sheets to help workers safely use PPE and protect themselves from H5N1 bird flu.
Outreach Update

CDC continues to support outreach to farm workers around the topic of H5N1 bird flu. This includes target outreach to farm workers in affected counties through Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and digital display and audio (Pandora). CDC also is running advertisements on local radio stations about 30 times each week to reach people who may not be on social media platforms. These resources provide information in English and Spanish about potential risks of avian influenza A(H5N1) infection, recommended preventive actions, symptoms to be on the lookout for, and what to do if they develop symptoms. Outreach metrics are summarized in Table 1 (below). CDC is developing an outreach strategy to raise awareness about the free seasonal flu vaccinations being offered to livestock workers in affected states this season.
Surveillance Update

CDC continues to support states that are monitoring people with exposure to cows, birds, or other domestic or wild animals infected, or potentially infected, with avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses. To date, more than 5,000 people have been monitored as a result of their exposure to infected or potentially infected animals, and at least 240 people who have developed flu-like symptoms have been tested as part of this targeted, situation-specific testing. Testing of exposed people who develop symptoms is happening at the state or local level, and CDC conducts confirmatory testing. Since February 25, 2024, more than 50,000 specimens have been tested at public health labs that would have detected avian influenza A(H5) or other novel influenza viruses. One of the specimens tested at a public health laboratory as a part of routine surveillance was identified as presumptive A(H5) positive and was confirmed as A(H5) positive by CDC. More information on monitoring can be found at Symptom Monitoring Among Persons Exposed to HPAI.

CDC also continues to monitor flu surveillance data using CDC's enhanced, nationwide summer surveillance strategy, especially in areas where avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses have been detected in dairy cows or other animals, for any unusual trends, including in flu-like illness, conjunctivitis, or influenza virus activity. Overall, for the most recent week of data, CDC flu surveillance systems show no indicators of unusual flu activity in people, including avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses.
CDC Recommendations

As a reminder, CDC recommends that:

    People should avoid exposures to sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals (including cows), if possible.
    People should also avoid exposures to animal poop, bedding (litter), unpasteurized ("raw") milk, or materials that have been touched by, or close to, birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, if possible.
    People should not drink raw milk. Pasteurization kills avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses, and pasteurized milk is safe to drink.
    People who have job-related contact with infected or potentially infected birds or other animals should be aware of the risk of exposure to avian influenza viruses and should take proper precautions. People should wear appropriate and recommended personal protective equipment when exposed to an infected or potentially infected animal(s). CDC has recommendations for worker protection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
    CDC has interim recommendations for prevention, monitoring, and public health investigations of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infections in people.

Following these recommendations is central to reducing a person's risk and containing the overall public health risk.

In addition to limiting interactions between infected animals and people, containing the outbreak among animals also is important, which underscores the urgency of the work being done by USDA and animal health and industry partners.

This is an evolving situation, and CDC is committed to providing frequent and timely updates.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
HHS.gov
USA.gov
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