Bird flu, also known as H5N1, has been affecting birds, dairy cows, and even humans since January 2022. While the risk to the general public remains low, experts are concerned about the possibility of the virus mutating and spreading more easily between humans. Here’s what you need to know about how bird flu spreads and its impact on food safety.
How does bird flu spread?
- Infection in animals and humans: Bird flu affects birds and some mammals, including pigs, cattle, and cats. Humans can get infected if they come into close contact with infected animals, especially farm workers handling dairy cows and poultry.
- High-risk groups: People who work with animals, particularly those in the dairy and poultry industries, are at the highest risk. Infection can occur through direct contact with infected milk, birds, or their surroundings.
- Current human cases: Since 2022, there have been nearly 70 reported human cases, mostly among dairy and poultry workers. One fatality has been recorded.
- Risk of Mutation: Currently, bird flu spreads from animals to humans, but experts worry that as the virus evolves, it could mutate into a hybrid strain capable of human-to-human transmission. If that happens, the risk of a pandemic increases.
- Symptoms of Bird Flu: People infected with bird flu can experience symptoms similar to the common flu, including:
- Cough
- Vomiting
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis), which is suspected to come from contact with contaminated milk.
- Recovery and Treatment: Most infected individuals recover in about four days. The antiviral medication Tamiflu (oseltamivir) has been used to help speed up recovery.
Impact on food safety and egg prices
- Egg supply issues: Bird flu outbreaks have significantly affected egg production, leading to shortages and higher prices. More than 40 million egg-laying birds died last year due to the virus. Since 2022, 148 million birds (including chickens and ducks) have been euthanized to control the spread.
- Food safety measures: Experts advise cooking eggs and pasteurizing dairy products to reduce infection risks. Cooking food thoroughly kills harmful pathogens, including bird flu.
- Dangers of raw milk: Unpasteurized dairy products, such as raw milk, have gained popularity online, but health officials strongly advise against consuming them. Pasteurization, which involves boiling milk, was discovered in the 1800s to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, including bird flu.
- Flu vaccine and prevention:
- The regular flu vaccine does not protect against bird flu.
- Health authorities have prepared bird flu vaccines in case of a future outbreak.
- These vaccines are tested against new strains to ensure effectiveness.
- The U.S. government has also explored developing mRNA vaccines, which can be produced faster but still require clinical trials and FDA approval.
