New hen flu pressure infects Nevada employee; state’s first human case
A brand new variant of the hen flu has contaminated a dairy employee in Nevada, marking the state’s first human case of the H5N1 avian influenza.
The employee was uncovered to the D1.1 pressure after working with contaminated dairy cattle in Churchill County, the Central Nevada Well being District confirmed Monday.
The brand new genotype was first confirmed on Jan. 31 in dairy cattle and isn’t the identical pressure that has been triggered a nationwide egg scarcity and value hikes in current months.
There are not any extra confirmed human instances in Nevada and no proof that people can transmit the virus to different people, the state’s well being district stated. Officers are monitoring the signs of the contaminated employee and the opposite farm employees who’ve been provided testing, antiviral remedy and private protecting gear.
The U.S. Division of Agriculture confirmed final week that the brand new variant had contaminated dairy herds within the state after beforehand solely showing in wild birds since late 2023 or early 2024. Up till final month, the B3.13 pressure made up all hen flu instances in dairy herds.
What’s the D1.1 hen flu variant?
The D1.1 variant is a pressure of the H5N1 avian influenza that has beforehand solely been reported in wild birds. The variant has lately contaminated dairy cattle and people, together with the Nevada grownup and a 13-year-old lady in Canada.
The D1.1 pressure poses a low well being danger to most of the people although folks repeatedly uncovered to birds, poultry or cows are at a better danger, based on the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
The pressure is widespread among the many starlings that migrate by Nevada within the winter and may need carried the virus into the state, the Nevada Division of Agriculture shared on Fb final March.
Has anybody died from the D1.1 hen flu pressure?
A Louisiana affected person who was older and chronically sick died after contracting the D1.1 pressure, marking the one reported U.S. human loss of life from the hen flu, the Louisiana Division of Public Well being confirmed on Jan. 6.
The grownup, who well being officers didn’t establish, was uncovered to the virus from a yard flock, based on the division. They had been over 65 and had underlying well being points, officers stated.
The model of the virus additionally hospitalized a 13-year-old lady with a historical past of gentle bronchial asthma, based on the New England Journal of Medication.
Since 2003, there have been 950 human instances of hen flu outdoors the U.S. with 464 of them leading to loss of life, based on knowledge from the World Well being Group.
Most human instances of hen flu contain gentle signs like eye infections.
When did hen flu begin?
The H5N1 avian influenza has been reported globally since 1997 although it beforehand solely offered in wild birds till current years.
Easy methods to keep away from hen flu?
The best method to keep away from contracting hen flu is to forestall sources of publicity, well being specialists say.
This contains avoiding direct contact with wild birds and all animals which might be both contaminated or presumably contaminated with the virus.
Is it fit for human consumption eggs or drink milk?
Eggs and rooster meat are thought of fit for human consumption, based on the U.S. Division of Agriculture, which routinely displays farms for hen flu and euthanizes chickens if the virus is detected on a farm. Beef can be protected to eat so long as it is cooked to correct temperatures.
Although the business milk provide is examined repeatedly to verify it’s protected, the USDA recommends avoiding uncooked milk, which has been proven in some instances to comprise the virus. There have been no confirmed instances contracted by consuming unpasteurized milk.
Contributing: Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY
