A U.S. CDC official has stated that the risk assessment for bird flu remains low among the general population following recent cases among farm workers in Colorado.
The CDC official mentioned that vaccines are not currently being offered to livestock workers.
The official also noted that additional cases of bird flu infections may still be detected.
According to the CDC, analysis indicates no evidence of changes in the virus that would reduce the effectiveness of the antiviral drug Tamiflu.
Preliminary analysis of DNA from infected poultry workers is reassuring, showing no concerning changes.
The CDC official suggested that factors such as heat in barns and industrial fans used during culling operations of infected birds may have contributed to the spread of infections.
A USDA official confirmed that the infected poultry farm is located in the same county as farms where dairy herds have been infected.
A U.S. HHS official reported that Colorado has ordered over 500 courses of the antiviral Tamiflu from the national stockpile, which were delivered recently.
The CDC official emphasized that there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus.
The CDC also pointed out that similarities in infections between poultry and dairy outbreaks suggest the possibility that the virus may have been transmitted from a dairy herd in Colorado.
Lastly, a USDA official expressed strong interest in supporting the development of a vaccine through the commercial marketplace.
H5 bird flu has become prevalent among wild birds globally, leading to outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows, along with several recent cases in dairy and poultry workers. Although the current public health risk is deemed low, the CDC is closely monitoring the situation and collaborating with states to track individuals exposed to animals. Utilizing its flu surveillance systems, the CDC is actively monitoring for H5 bird flu activity among humans.
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