The recent outbreak of bird flu, causing egg prices to spike, has raised concerns about its potential impact on humans, particularly in densely populated cities like New York. With pigeons being a common sight in urban environments, many are wondering if these birds can contract bird flu and if there is a risk of transmission to humans. Dr. Suraj Saggar, Chief of Infectious Disease at Holy Name Medical Center, addresses these concerns, explaining the low risk of human infection from pigeons and outlining the necessary precautions to minimize potential exposure.
Dr. Suraj Saggar, Chief of Infectious Disease at Holy Name Medical Center, discusses the current outbreak of bird flu . The highly contagious bird flu that has sent egg prices soaring has also sparked concern among New Yorkers about one of the city's most ubiquitous animal inhabitants – pigeons.
Dodging and weaving to avoid the city's flocks is a familiar experience for pedestrians in New York, and this close contact has many wondering: can pigeons get bird flu? And, if so, are people at risk of contracting it from them?Pigeons, thankfully, do not typically carry bird flu viruses that pose a threat to poultry or humans. So, while there is a small possibility, it's highly improbable that a pigeon you encounter will be infected with the virus, and even less likely that a human would catch bird flu from it. Doctors emphasize that most New Yorkers are at a very low risk of contracting the disease, as there have been no documented instances of human-to-human transmission. 'Human infections have all had a direct link with either chicken, livestock or dairy farms,' said Dr. Suraj Saggar, Chief of Infectious Disease at Holy Name Medical Center in Englewood, New Jersey.Dr. Saggar also states that there are currently no concerns about human infection through food, but people should continue to follow proper food preparation practices. 'You really want to avoid such practices as eating raw eggs, eating unpasteurized raw milk, because then you're setting yourself up for these types of bacteria and viruses to possibly infect you,' he advised. The CDC recommends that people should not prepare or consume uncooked or undercooked food or products, such as unpasteurized milk or raw cheeses from animals suspected or confirmed to have the bird flu virus. 'One differentiating symptom is actually infection of the eye, or conjunctivitis,' Dr. Saggar explained, but the vast majority of confirmed cases in humans have presented only mild symptoms. Dr. Saggar reassures the public that there is no need to panic at this time, but it is crucial for the country's public health systems to maintain surveillance, monitoring, and research efforts. As always, health officials encourage everyone to practice good hygiene, including avoiding close contact with sick individuals and washing hands frequently
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