The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ended its emergency response to the H5N1 avian flu this month, officially downgrading the immediate human health threat after no new US human cases were reported since early summer. According to the CDC, there have been 70 confirmed US human infections—mostly among dairy and poultry workers—resulting in two deaths nationwide. Human cases have largely been mild, with symptoms such as fever or conjunctivitis, and the agency now describes the current public health risk as low.However, vigilance remains critical. The CDC and the US Department of Agriculture continue monitoring animal outbreaks, with the virus persisting in both wild bird populations and herds of dairy cattle. In the past 30 days, only two new dairy herd infections were detected in California and Arizona, plus a single poultry outbreak in Pennsylvania. Experts attribute this decline to seasonal trends, but warn the risk could escalate as migratory birds return in late fall. Dr. Andrew Ramey of the US Geological Survey noted that the fall migration could bring millions of waterfowl—ducks and geese, the primary virus carriers—back into crowded habitats, potentially causing a resurgence.Recent research highlighted new transmission routes for H5N1 in dairy cattle, with studies from China showing that “milk snatching”—when cows nurse from each other or calves feed—may facilitate mammary gland infections. This finding helps clarify how the virus has persisted in cattle even amid improved biosecurity.Meanwhile, a study published in Science Translational Medicine this week supports the theory that immunity from recent seasonal flu infections, particularly H1N1, may be providing cross-protection and reducing the severity of H5N1 illness in humans. While some influenza scientists welcome these findings, others caution that differences in viral strains and exposure routes, or underlying population health, also contribute to the varied severity seen globally. For comparison, Cambodia, where a different H5N1 strain circulates, has reported a far higher mortality rate.Outside the United States, the World Organization for Animal Health reported only 15 new poultry outbreaks globally in June, but noted an uptick in infections among wild birds in Europe.As summer draws to a close, public health officials across the globe are preparing for the possibility of renewed outbreaks as environmental conditions for viral transmission improve.Thanks for tuning in. Be sure to come back next week for more news updates. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out QuietPlease.AI.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Ver todos los episodios