Latest news with #AlexiaHarrist
USA Today
26-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Where has bird flu been reported in the US? See map of 70 cases
Where has bird flu been reported in the US? See map of 70 cases The number of H5 bird flu cases among people in the U.S. is now at 70, with the most cases being in California, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among the cases in California, 36 of them stemmed from exposure to dairy herds or cattle, while the cause of two of them are unknown. Other states with reported cases include Washington state, Oregon, Wyoming, Nevada, Colorado, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Texas and Louisiana, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the CDC. So far, one person has died due to the bird flu, and there have been no cases where the bird flu spread from person-to-person, the CDC said. The agency added that "the current public health risk is low," as of Tuesday. Bird flu case map The map below shows bird flu reported since 2024, per CDC data. Wyoming woman with prior conditions becomes 3rd US hospitalization Among the more recent cases around the country, a woman in southeast Wyoming was documented as the first human case of the bird flu in the state and became the third confirmed hospitalization in the U.S., reported the Wyoming Department of Health. A CDC laboratory confirmed the woman's test result on Feb. 14. She is hospitalized in another state and has prior health conditions that could've made her more vulnerable to illness, Wyoming health officials said. 'She was likely exposed to the virus through direct contact with an infected poultry flock at her home,' the Wyoming Department of Health said in its news release. A person in Ohio was recently discharged after being hospitalized with a bird flu infection, the CDC said. Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of Health, said in the news release that the case is 'not something we believe requires a high level of concern among most Wyoming residents.' According to Harrist, the bird flu has been infecting wild birds in Wyoming for a while now, and infections among dairy cattle have also been reported in the past. Most of those confirmed cases in the U.S. involve those who work closely with poultry or cattle. Once they became sick, they experienced mild symptoms, Harrist said. 'Unfortunately, this patient's experience has been much more serious,' Harrist said in the release. Symptoms of the bird flu in birds and humans Bird flu has caused outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the CDC. Most wild birds infected with bird flu viruses are asymptomatic, meaning they do not show signs or symptoms, the CDC said. Bird flu symptoms in humans include: Mild symptoms - Eye redness and irritation, mild fever, cough and fatigue. Moderate to severe disease symptoms - High fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing and seizures. Complications - Bird flu can lead to complications such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, multi-organ failure (respiratory and kidney failure), sepsis or septic shock. How can I protect myself and my family? Harrist, from the Wyoming Department of Health, offered some tips to keep yourself safe amid concerns about contracting the bird flu. Tips include: Avoid eating uncooked or undercooked food. Cook poultry, eggs and other animal products to the proper temperature and avoid cross-contamination between raw and cooked food. Avoid direct contact with wild birds. Avoid contact with wild or domestic birds that appear ill or have died. If contact with the sick or dead birds is necessary, use personal protection clothing and items. Avoid unprotected direct physical contact or close exposure with cattle and materials potentially infected or confirmed to be infected with bird flu. Do not eat or drink raw milk or products made with raw milk. Health officials in Wyoming said those who notice symptoms in birds can contact a veterinarian or report the cases to the Wyoming Livestock Board at 307-777-8270. Sick or dead wild birds can also be reported to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department at 307-745-5865 or online at Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Six more states join national milk testing strategy amid rampant spread of bird flu
Six states have joined the nation's milk testing program to track the spread of bird flu as another spillover of the virus was reported in dairy cows. The addition of Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and West Virginia, brings the total number of states in the program to 36. Notably, Texas and Mississippi — some of the nation's largest poultry producers — remain absent. As do Wisconsin and Idaho: some of America's top milk producers. To date, more than 970 herds have been stricken with bird flu across 17 states, according to data from the Department of Agriculture. The news comes after Arizona health officials announced on Friday that the state's agriculture department had identified H5N1 bird flu in milk produced by a dairy herd in Maricopa County, although the cattle haven't shown any symptoms. The virus is the D1.1 genotype: the same that had been confirmed in Nevada dairy cattle at the end of last month. The genotype has also been implicated in human infections, including the death of a Louisiana resident over the age of 65. Shortly after, the state reported its first bird flu infection in a dairy worker exposed to sickened cows. Wyoming also reported its first infection on Friday in an older woman in Platte County: the third confirmed hospitalization related to bird flu in the U.S. The woman is hospitalized in another state, has conditions that can make people more vulnerable to illness, and was likely exposed through direct contact with an infected flock at her home. While many of those infected experience mild symptoms, state health officials said her experience 'has been much more serious.' 'While this is a significant development as bird flu activity is monitored in Wyoming and across the country, it is not something we believe requires a high level of concern among most Wyoming residents,' said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of Health. Around the U.S., 68 cases have been confirmed in the West, South, and Great Lakes regions. The majority have been dairy and poultry workers experiencing mild symptoms. Officials maintain that the current risk to the public is low and there has been no known person-to-person transmission of the virus. Still, the nation's response is under major scrutiny, with scientists voicing concerns about possible pandemic tipping points. While the Trump administration has addressed the resulting egg shortage, they had not specifically detailed a plan of action to respond to outbreaks tearing across the country. They've placed the blame on the previous administration. 'President Biden didn't really have a plan for avian flu,' White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett told CBS News' Face the Nation on Sunday. 'Well, Brooke Rollins and I have been working with all the best people in government, including academics around the country and around the world, to have a plan ready for the president next week on what we're going to do with avian flu,' said Hassett. Concerning reports came over the weekend regarding layoffs at Department of Agriculture facilities responding to the outbreak. The department did not immediately reply to The Independent's request for comment. 'They're the front line of surveillance for the entire outbreak,' Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, told Politico. 'They're already underwater and they are constantly short-staffed, so if you take all the probationary staff out, you'll take out the capacity to do the work.'
The Independent
18-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Six more states join national milk testing strategy amid rampant spread of bird flu
Six states have joined the nation's milk testing program to track the spread of bird flu as another spillover of the virus was reported in dairy cows. The addition of Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and West Virginia, brings the total number of states in the program to 36. Notably, Texas and Mississippi — — remain absent. As do Wisconsin and Idaho: some of America's top milk producers. To date, more than 970 herds have been stricken with bird flu across 17 states, according to data from the Department of Agriculture. The news comes after Arizona health officials announced on Friday that the state's agriculture department had identified H5N1 bird flu in milk produced by a dairy herd in Maricopa County, although the cattle haven't shown any symptoms. The virus is the D1.1 genotype: the same that had been confirmed in Nevada dairy cattle at the end of last month. The genotype has also been implicated in human infections, including the death of a Louisiana resident over the age of 65. Shortly after, the state reported its first bird flu infection in a dairy worker exposed to sickened cows. Wyoming also reported its first infection on Friday in an older woman in Platte County: the third confirmed hospitalization related to bird flu in the U.S. The woman is hospitalized in another state, has conditions that can make people more vulnerable to illness, and was likely exposed through direct contact with an infected flock at her home. While many of those infected experience mild symptoms, state health officials said her experience 'has been much more serious.' 'While this is a significant development as bird flu activity is monitored in Wyoming and across the country, it is not something we believe requires a high level of concern among most Wyoming residents,' said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of Health. Around the U.S., 68 cases have been confirmed in the West, South, and Great Lakes regions. The majority have been dairy and poultry workers experiencing mild symptoms. Officials maintain that the current risk to the public is low and there has been no known person-to-person transmission of the virus. Still, the nation's response is under major scrutiny, with scientists voicing concerns about possible pandemic tipping points. While the Trump administration has addressed the resulting egg shortage, they had not specifically detailed a plan of action to respond to outbreaks tearing across the country. They've placed the blame on the previous administration. 'President Biden didn't really have a plan for avian flu,' White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett told CBS News' Face the Nation on Sunday. 'Well, Brooke Rollins and I have been working with all the best people in government, including academics around the country and around the world, to have a plan ready for the president next week on what we're going to do with avian flu,' said Hassett. Concerning reports came over the weekend regarding layoffs at Department of Agriculture facilities responding to the outbreak. The department did not immediately reply to The Independent's request for comment. 'They're the front line of surveillance for the entire outbreak,' Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, told Politico. 'They're already underwater and they are constantly short-staffed, so if you take all the probationary staff out, you'll take out the capacity to do the work.'
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A Woman in Wyoming Is Hospitalized With Bird Flu
An older woman in southeast Wyoming is hospitalized with bird flu, state health department officials said Friday. It's the state's first human case of Type A H5N1 influenza, which is spreading through animals and some people. Nearly 70 people in the U.S. have been reported infected with bird flu in the last year, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, though researchers and studies suggest that's likely an undercount. The woman had a backyard flock of chickens that got sick and died, a CDC spokesperson said Saturday. The state health department said the woman, who lives in Platte County, Wyoming, likely had direct contact with the flock. It said she also has other health conditions and is hospitalized in another state. Read More: What to Know About the H5N9 Bird Flu Dr. Alexia Harrist, the state health officer and state epidemiologist, said Wyoming residents shouldn't have 'a high level of concern' about the human case, the test result for which was confirmed by a CDC on Friday. Most confirmed human cases of bird flu across the U.S. came with mild symptoms. 'Unfortunately, this patient's experience has been much more serious,' Harrist said in the news release. A new study published by the CDC showed bird flu has silently spread from animals to some veterinarians. Bird flu has been spreading in wild birds in the U.S. since 2022. The virus was detected for the first time in U.S. dairy cows last year. It has infected more than 960 cattle herds in 16 states. Contact us at letters@
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Wyoming woman hospitalized with bird flu in third confirmed human case
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- A Wyoming woman hospitalized with bird flu is the state's first human case after her flock of chickens became infected and died, according to state officials. The Wyoming Department of Health said Friday that an older woman from Platte County tested positive for the H5N1 avian influenza. It represents the third confirmed U.S hospitalization related to H5N1. "While this is a significant development as bird flu activity is monitored in Wyoming and across the country, it is not something we believe requires a high level of concern among most Wyoming residents," Dr. Alexia Harrist, the state health officer and state epidemiologist, said in a release. Wyoming confirmed its first case in dairy cows last year in June. Infections have been reported in more than 960 cattle herds in at least 16 states. In addition to chickens, bird flu has infected mountain lion cubs, snow geese, foxes, great horned owls and bald eagles. Infected birds shed virus through their saliva, mucous and feces, the state health department says. Harrist said the unidentified woman was hospitalized in another state. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at least 70 cases of bird flu have been confirmed in the United States in the last year. The current outbreak of avian flu is said to be responsible for the death of at least 100 million birds since the start of the most recent outbreak in 2022, including 22 million in the last month, according to the latest U.S Department of Agriculture data. Health experts have sounded the alarm about U.S. readiness to handle the spread. Meanwhile, the Trump administration paused the release of key public health studies, stalling research that could provide insight into how this particular virus spreads to animals and people. The first American death via bird flu was reported in Louisiana early last month. Harrist cited common-sense steps for people to protect themselves, such as not eating uncooked or undercooked food. She said it is important to cook poultry, eggs and other animal products to the recommended temperature, avoid cross-contamination between raw and cooked food and avoid direct contact with wild birds.
