Illinois medical experts are closely monitoring the spread of bird flu (H5N1) and taking steps to prevent a potential human pandemic. The virus has already been detected in several animal populations and a worker exposed to infected cows.
As the highly contagious bird flu , known as H5N1 , spreads among animal populations, causing concern and prompting heightened vigilance across Illinois , medical experts are working diligently to prevent it from evolving into a human pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) maintains that the current risk to human health remains low. However, this could change rapidly as the virus continues to mutate.
Health officials are closely monitoring every case, from farm fields to hospitals and laboratories, understanding the potential threat posed by the virus's increasing presence. In Illinois, the virus has already been detected in a worker exposed to infected cows, underscoring the potential for human transmission. The couple who own and operate Kakadoodle, an egg farm and online marketplace in Matteson, discovered their chickens had contracted the virus. Believing it originated from wild birds feeding on the hens' feed, they reported the outbreak to authorities, despite concerns about the potential financial repercussions for smaller farmers facing quarantine measures. They emphasized the importance of transparency and honesty, stating that they couldn't remain silent and risk someone making a mistake by assuming the situation was contained.The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial flock in February 2022. Since then, the USDA has been working closely with state animal health officials to identify and respond to cases, mitigate the virus's impact on poultry production and trade, and support affected producers. HPAI is a deadly poultry disease that spreads rapidly and can devastate local poultry industries with little to no warning. Prompt reporting of sick birds is crucial, as the USDA provides financial assistance for the destruction of infected birds and eggs but not for those that have died from HPAI. Dr. Mary Hayden, director of infectious diseases at Rush University Medical Center, expressed concerns about the widespread nature of the virus, emphasizing that the higher the infection rate, the greater the chance of mutations leading to a form transmissible to humans. While the virus is not currently spreading easily among people, experts like Dr. Sharon Welbel, chief of infectious diseases at Cook County Health, acknowledge the need for continued vigilance. Welbel's team has been preparing for bird flu for over a year, implementing screening protocols for patients entering the hospital, inquiring about potential exposure to birds, farm animals, and raw products. She stressed that while a pandemic is not inevitable, it is a possibility that must be prepared for. An ABC7 data team analysis revealed that over 100,000 birds in backyard and commercial flocks in Illinois have tested positive for avian flu. The majority of human exposure incidents are linked to commercial agriculture activities, including dairy herds, poultry farms, raw milk, and raw meat consumption. Proper cooking techniques can effectively kill the virus
Bird Flu H5N1 Pandemic Illinois Medical Experts Human Transmission Animal Health USDA CDC
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