Avian Flu Outbreaks in U.S. Cattle Triple in One Month
Outbreaks of H5N1 avian flu in U.S. cattle, which in three cases have affected farmworkers, have tripled
in just five weeks, reaching 92 confirmed cases in animals across 12 states, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned this Wednesday.
As of June 12, 2024, the outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu in the United States remains a concerning situation.
“We recommend that anyone working with infected animals in any country have and use protective equipment, while systematically continuing testing and monitoring of people exposed to the virus,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Despite the alert over the presence of avian flu—a highly lethal virus—in a domestic animal where it had not previously been found, the Director-General assured that H5N1 “has so far not shown signs of easy transmission between humans,” so the WHO continues to consider the public health risk of H5N1 to be low.
The same WHO official noted that since the first human cases recorded in 2003, 893 human infections have been diagnosed (half of them fatal), though only 11 have been confirmed in 2024 (the three in the U.S. plus five in Cambodia and three isolated cases in Australia, China, and Vietnam).
A thorough and rapid investigation of every human infection “is essential to continue assessing the virus and prevent its possible transmission between people,” the Director-General emphasized, who also called for intensified surveillance of animal outbreaks to detect potential H5N1 mutations.
Here Are Some Updated Facts:
Human Cases:
- Four cases of H5N1 infection in humans have been confirmed in the United States since 2022.
- All cases have been linked to direct exposure to infected poultry.
- There has been no evidence of person-to-person transmission in the United States.
Poultry Cases:
- H5N1 outbreaks have been detected in poultry across several states nationwide.
- Authorities have culled millions of birds to control the spread of the virus.
- The risk of the virus transmitting to humans from commercial poultry remains low.
Recommendations for the Public:
- Avoid contact with sick or dead birds: Do not touch or handle sick or dead birds, and report any sightings to local authorities.
- Cook poultry thoroughly: Cook poultry to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to kill the virus.
- Wash your hands: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after contact with birds or their products.
- Avoid contact with poultry in outbreak areas: If you live in an area with an avian flu outbreak, avoid contact with domestic and wild poultry.
Additional Resources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://espanol.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/index.htm
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections
It is important to stay informed about the avian flu situation and follow the recommendations of health authorities to protect yourself and others…
No information should replace consultation with a doctor or other healthcare professional who can advise you based on your specific situation. If you do not have health insurance and need to consult a healthcare specialist, you can visit the office of
Dr. Carlos Arguello in Port St. Lucie 772-337-3334
1803 SE Port St. Lucie Blvd.
