H5N1 bird flu silently spread from animals to some humans: US CDC
The study showed that veterinarians didn't have any symptoms, and thus did not seek medical care, unlike the infected poultry workers. The findings, come as the US is battling bird flu, and reported about 68 human bird flu infections last year.
The new study is more evidence that the number 'is likely a significant undercount', said Dr. Gregory Gray, an infectious disease researcher at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
"This means that people are being infected, likely due to their occupational exposures, and not developing signs of illness and therefore not seeking medical care," Gray added.
The researchers said tracking medical clinics that report bird flu cases may not be enough to fully understand bird flu transmission.
For the study, the team examined blood tests of 150 vets from 46 states in the US. While none of them suffered red eyes or other symptoms common with bird flu, the tests revealed about 3 or 2 per cent of the vets had antibodies of H5N1 infection.
Although the three worked with dairy cattle, as well as other animals, none were infected. One reported working with a flock of infected poultry. Previous studies suggest some dairy farmworkers experienced symptoms but were never properly diagnosed.
Being small-scale studies, they could not give a proper estimate of undiagnosed human infections.
But these can translate to hundreds or thousands of infections, Gray said Currently, there is nothing to be alarmed about, but changes or mutations in the virus can potentially make people very sick, or boost the spread of the H5N1 virus, said Jacqueline Nolting, an Ohio State University researcher.
Sign up for the Daily Briefing
Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
09-08-2025
- Al Etihad
Suspect, officer dead after shooting outside US public health agency in Atlanta
9 Aug 2025 09:00 ATLANTA (NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE)A gunman who believed the coronavirus vaccine was to blame for his ailments opened fire Friday outside of the headquarters of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, killing a police officer and striking the exteriors of several buildings on the CDC campus, law enforcement officials gunman was found fatally shot, but no civilians were hit by gunfire, officials reported an active shooter just before 5pm local time at a CVS drugstore on Clifton Road, which is directly across from the main entrance to the CDC headquarters. Officers found the gunman on the second floor of the CVS, but it was unclear if he had been struck in an exchange of gunfire with the police or if the gunshot was self-inflicted, Chief Darin Schierbaum of the Atlanta Police Department said at a news conference Friday said that investigators believed there was a single gunman, whose identity has not been man appeared to have had a long-brewing fixation about the vaccine, according to a senior law enforcement official who spoke anonymously to discuss an ongoing investigation. The official added that the man believed that the shot had been the cause of his physical illness. The man's father had reported him to authorities earlier Friday, saying that he was David Rose of the DeKalb County Police Department was one of the first officers to arrive and was killed, officials 33, had two children, and his wife is pregnant with a third. He was just a few weeks from his first anniversary with the department. He had graduated from training in March and had served in the US Marines before becoming an shooting comes as the COVID vaccine - an achievement that curbed the spread of a deadly global pandemic but also became the subject of rampant conspiracy theories and intense political divisions - has faced renewed skepticism since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became health and human services has raised doubts about many routine immunisations and has been particularly critical of the COVID vaccinations. This week, he cancelled nearly $500 million in grants and contracts for work on mRNA vaccines, the technology that helped turn the tide against the CDC is an institution at the core of Atlanta's identity, with the city regarded as a capital of public health and research in large part because of the federal agency's roots. The headquarters are in the northeast corner of the city, adjacent to the main campus of Emory University and Emory University Hospital. The CVS store is in a complex with restaurants and apartments that is home to medical students and public health workers.
The National
15-07-2025
- The National
Measles death triggers warning for parents to check vaccines ahead of travel
Parents are being urged to ensure children are fully vaccinated against measles ahead of any overseas travel this summer as the number of cases continues to climb in Europe and the US. A child in Liverpool, England recently died from the disease, as the UK battles with plummeting vaccination rates. National uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has dropped to about 84 per cent since 2015 in the UK, well below the recommended level of 95 per cent to ensure adequate herd immunity and protect vulnerable groups. It is a similar trend in the US, where measles cases have climbed to their highest level for 30 years. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 1,288 confirmed cases of measles on July 9, including one adult and two infant deaths. The highly infectious disease was eliminated from the US in 2000 but has undergone a resurgence due to rising vaccine hesitancy and misinformation circulating online relating to safety. Meanwhile, in Europe, measles cases have soared to their highest levels since 1997. Outbreaks have been reported this year in popular summer destinations in France, Italy, Spain and Germany. Doctors are urging UAE families to check their vaccination schedules are up to date before overseas travel. Dr Grace Nehme, a consultant in paediatric haematology and oncology medicine at Clemenceau Medical Centre Hospital in Dubai, said while most children have been vaccinated, some parents remain hesitant. 'In Dubai, hesitancy is less than elsewhere but still some patients are refusing despite all the counselling,' she said. 'We do everything possible and they are still refusing to vaccinate but this is not more than maybe 2 per cent-3 per cent of the population. "For parents of children not yet of age to be vaccinated, usually at one year of age, travelling to an endemic area or an area with an outbreak, we can give the vaccine at nine months. 'But for very small children below that age, parents will have to take extra precautions.' Symptoms to spot Typical symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Children often also have a rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body, or tiny white spots inside the mouth. 'Young children travelling with parents this summer, who are not vaccinated, should avoid being around any sick children, especially anyone with fever and rash,' said Dr Nehme. 'They should avoid very crowded areas, which is difficult when you're a tourist and you want to visit all the nice places. 'But if you have a small baby, try to avoid peak times when there are a lot of people. Every time a family travels, children can get sick pretty quickly because they're building their immunity. But for the vaccinated kids, you're not that worried.' Europe reported 127,350 cases of measles in 2024, double the number of incidents reported to the World Health Organisation the previous year. Rising cases have also been reported elsewhere in Nigeria, Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Thailand. 'Summer is a great time for families to travel and it's also a good opportunity to make sure children are up to date on their vaccinations,' said Dr Shruthi Punnapu, a specialist paediatrician at Medcare Women & Children Hospital. 'Before heading out, parents are encouraged to check in with their child's doctor or local health clinic to review the vaccination schedule. 'Most clinics can provide guidance quickly and many vaccines can be given on an accelerated schedule if travel is coming up soon. 'If travelling to areas where there have been recent outbreak of measles in parts of Europe or whooping cough in the US, extra precautions may be recommended.' Vaccine catch-up In recent years, some children have fallen behind on routine vaccines. This can happen for many reasons, from changes in schedules or health coverage to delays during the pandemic. 'The good news is that it's never too late to catch up which helps ensure children are ready not just for travel, but also for school and other activities where illnesses can spread more easily,' said Dr Punnapu. 'It's a simple but powerful way to protect their health and keep everyone safer.' Vaccinations are one of humanity's greatest success stories in public health over the past century. Researchers at the Burnet Institute, in collaboration with Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, found emergency vaccinations against measles, cholera, Ebola, meningitis and yellow fever had reduced the number of deaths by almost 60 per cent between 2000 and 2023. That global response also generated more than $32 billion in economic benefits and prevented further outbreaks of disease, the institute's study on global health security found. Research published in the British Medical Journal of Global Health evaluated 210 outbreaks of five infectious diseases – cholera, Ebola, measles, meningitis and yellow fever – in 49 lower-income countries between 2000 and 2023. Experts said the findings highlighted the value of rapid outbreak response times and maintaining strong routine immunisation coverage, especially in high-risk settings to prevent and minimise cases and deaths. When outbreaks have occurred in lower-income countries since 2005, measles vaccinations have reduced cases by 59 per cent and deaths by 52 per cent. Immunisation campaigns also dramatically helped reduce the risk of large outbreaks from spreading further in communities with low baseline immunity due to lower vaccine coverage. Declining protection rates Like most other vaccines, measles immunisation has declined since the Covid-19 pandemic. Gavi has led efforts to bring nations back up to the coverage required to prevent large-scale outbreaks of the disease. Since 2021, about 35 million children have been protected as a result of outbreak response vaccination campaigns. 'For the first time, we are able to comprehensively quantify the benefit, in human and economic terms, of deploying vaccines against outbreaks of some of the deadliest infectious diseases,' said Dr Sania Nishtar, chief executive of Gavi. 'This study demonstrates clearly the power of vaccines as a cost-effective countermeasure to the increasing risk the world faces from outbreaks. 'It also underscores the importance of fully funding Gavi, so it can continue to protect communities in the next five years to come.'
Khaleej Times
11-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
Are public pools abroad safe? UAE experts weigh in on hygiene, chlorine rash risks
As residents travel abroad, medics in the UAE are urging everyone to be cautious while using public pools, bathhouses or going to water parks. While a refreshing dip in the pool is a popular way to beat the summer heat, doctors caution that not all pools are as safe and clean as they might seem. Recommended For You Poorly maintained pools can serve as breeding grounds for parasites, bacteria, and viruses — potentially leading to a range of illnesses including diarrhoea, skin rashes, ear infections, and even respiratory issues. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. According to Verywell Health , the average adult swallows about one tablespoon of pool water during a 45-minute swim — 'more than enough to make you sick,' according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The data further reveals that a person can bring 10 million microbes into a pool from their hair alone. Hands can carry another five million, and just one drop of spit can add eight million more. While not all microbes are harmful, some pose serious health risks. Dr Sherin Hussain, Specialist Internal Medicine at Medeor Hospital Abu Dhabi, highlighted the difference in pool maintenance standards across countries. 'Unlike the well-maintained pools in the UAE, swimming in poorly maintained pools can lead to stomach issues, skin rashes, and ear infections due to the presence of bacteria and parasites. In rare cases, contaminated aerosols may also trigger respiratory infections.' 'To prevent chlorine rashes and infections, make it a habit to shower both before and after swimming. Avoid swimming with open cuts, apply barrier creams, and use swim caps and earplugs,' added Hussain. Although pools and water parks are commonly treated with chlorine and bromine to kill germs, they are not sterile environments. What is Cryptosporidium? In fact, some microbes such as Cryptosporidium — a parasite responsible for waterborne diarrhoea — can survive in well-maintained pools for over 10 days. The CDC advises staying out of water for at least two weeks after recovering from diarrhoea. Even small amounts of faecal matter — equivalent to just 'a few grains of sand' — can wash off bodies and contaminate pool water. Dr Mazza Salahaldin, Specialist Family Medicine at NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain, warned of a variety of health issues associated with unclean pool water. 'These risks can stem from exposure to bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the water, or from chemical irritants used to maintain the pool. Gastrointestinal illnesses can happen by swallowing contaminated pool water can lead to diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach cramps, often caused by bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, or viruses like Norovirus. Bacterial skin infections can occur if bacteria enter through cuts or scrapes, or if the pool water is contaminated with bacteria like Staphylococcus. Swimmer's ear, an infection of the outer ear canal, can result from water remaining in the ear for extended periods.' How often should public pools be cleaned? Doctors frequently treat swimmers for eye and ear infections, high fever, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea after exposure to unkempt swimming facilities. Vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems are especially at risk of more severe symptoms. Dr Salahaldin added, 'Legionella bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires' disease, can be present in pool water and inhaled through mist or aerosols leading to respiratory infections. While uncommon, eye infections like Acanthamoeba keratitis can occur from contaminated pool water. Over-chlorination or sensitivity to chlorine can cause skin irritation, dryness, itching, and rashes.' Health professionals advise that public pools be cleaned at least two to three times per week and that the water should be changed at least once a month to maintain hygiene standards. Dr Mohamed Sufiyan Shajahan, Specialist Internal Medicine at Aster Clinic, Nuaimiah, Ajman emphasised the need for stricter protocols during peak travel seasons. 'During peak seasons, crowded pools need strict maintenance. Proper chlorination, filtration and public hygiene practices are essential and should be encouraged to prevent waterborne diseases.'
