Latest news with #AvianInfluenzaVirus
Hindustan Times
27-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
400 frontline forest staff identified for zoonotic disease screening
PUNE: In a bid to enhance early detection and raise awareness about zoonotic diseases, nearly 400 forest and zoo staff members in Maharashtra have been shortlisted for medical screening. Registration for the screening process will begin soon, followed by a series of medical tests. The initiative aims to safeguard both wildlife and human populations by identifying potential risks of disease transmission among individuals most frequently in contact with animals. In a bid to enhance early detection and raise awareness about zoonotic diseases, nearly 400 forest and zoo staff members in Maharashtra have been shortlisted. ((PIC FOR REPRESENTATION)) Launched in January of this year, the program titled 'Building a Surveillance Model for Detecting Zoonotic Spillover in Increased Bird-Human Interaction Settings' adopts the one Health approach, a concept recognising the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. This pioneering project is a joint effort by the Maharashtra Forest Department, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, and Symbiosis International University. The program focuses on developing a real-time surveillance model to monitor zoonotic spillovers among frontline forest staff, zoo workers, bird sanctuary staff, and residents living near wetlands. Zoonotic diseases—those transmitted from animals to humans—are emerging as a significant global health threat. Notable examples include the Nipah virus, Ebola, Zika, SARS-CoV-2, Avian Influenza Virus (AIV), and Monkeypox. Despite the growing threat of zoonotic infections in India, scientists have noted a lack of comprehensive data on such diseases within the country. Since its launch, several awareness and sensitisation programs have already been conducted in districts such as Satara, Ahilyanagar, Solapur, and Junnar. Dr Satish Pande, a conservationist and researcher leading the sensitisation program, shared that the response to the initiative has been overwhelmingly positive. Following the sensitisation sessions, many frontline workers expressed eagerness to enrol. To date, 400 staff members have been identified for enrollment, with the registration process still ongoing. Once registration is complete, participants will undergo medical check-ups, including blood tests, to assess if they have been exposed to any viral infections via the presence of antibodies. Following the initial assessments, the health of each participant will be monitored over the next three years. In Maharashtra, four wild animals—including three tigers and one leopard—have died this year due to Avian influenza. Across India, at least three human deaths linked to zoonotic diseases have been reported. These cases highlight the increasing concern over zoonotic infections, particularly as viruses continue to breach species barriers. Frontline workers, who have frequent contact with both animals and local communities, are emerging as a potential link in the transmission chain. Dr Pande emphasised that this program will provide close health monitoring for these key personnel, making a significant contribution to both wildlife conservation and public health safety.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Multnomah County cats infected with bird flu after eating contaminated pet food from PNW
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Amid an ongoing national outbreak, bird flu has been detected in two Multnomah County cats after they ate the same brand of raw pet food, the Oregon Department of Agriculture announced Friday. After being diagnosed with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza , the cats' owners chose to humanely euthanize the pets 'due to the severity of the illness,' per the recommendation of their veterinarians. Long TSA security lines form at PDX, worrying weekend travelers The two cats were living in separate households in Multnomah County, but both consumed food produced by Wild Coast Raw in Olympia, Wash. 'Consumers are urged to check the lot numbers on products at home,' officials said. 'If they match the affected lots, pet owners should stop feeding the product to their animals immediately.' Veterinarians identified the disease by collecting samples from the cats as well as the opened containers of raw pet food, ODA reported. Wild Coast shared the following statement in response to the outbreak: Teens arrested, modified guns recovered in Parkrose neighborhood In view of the concerns that pertain to the risk related to H5N1 (Avian Influenza Virus) in pet food, we would like to assure our customers that our company has conducted a vigorous risk assessment to help us determine how to best approach this issue. Based on the regulatory and industry resources that we have consulted and/or have been referred to, we have concluded that H5N1 risk mitigation in our operation can be best approached proactively. The meat and poultry ingredients that we are using in our products are all human food-grade and are being manufactured in USDA/FSIS inspected facilities. This is an important strategy that effectively mitigates the inclusion of H5N1 virus into the raw meat products. This fact has been supported by the recently concluded study conducted by the USDA/FSIS in their effort to assess the risk of H5N1 virus in meat products coming from the agency's inspection program. It has been established that the post-mortem inspection of poultry and animal carcasses is an effective step in identifying the definitive signs of H5N1 in the carcass before it is released for further processing. Furthermore, the study reiterated the fact that a Cooking Step shall effectively kill the H5N1 virus in the food sample. This is an important fact for our fully-cooked products that have been subjected to a cooking temperature of at least 160 deg F. The company also shared an HPAI study on their . Providence warns striking nurses their health care benefits will soon end To prevent your cats from contracting bird flu, follow these rules shared by ODA. Do not feed your pet undercooked or raw meat, including uncooked or freeze-dried meat-based diets, treats, or animal products. Do not feed your pet raw (unpasteurized) milk or colostrum. Prevent pets from eating birds or other wild animals. Wash your hands after touching raw meat and interacting with poultry, livestock, or animals outside your household. Consider changing clothing and shoes after interacting with animals or birds with unknown health status and before interacting with your own pets. Contact your veterinarian if your pet appears sick. Tell your veterinarian if your pet has been exposed to raw meat, raw milk, or wild waterfowl. KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
