Latest news with #Avianinfluenza
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Likelihood bird flu is exposed to humans
GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – Avian influenza, also known as Bird Flu, is a viral infection that spreads among birds, cows, and other animals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But, it's not only animals that can contract the disease, researchers said some people can too. As part of our 'Ask the Expert' series, in partnership with Bon Secours St. Francis, 7NEWS spoke with a health expert about the signs and symptoms. 'It's primarily transmitted to birds, to birds, but in recent cases, there has been transmission through to humans and to animals as well,' said Amanda Leonard. Bon Secours nurse practitioner, Amanda Leonard, broke down the signs and symptoms of Avian Influenza. While health experts said it's primarily spread among wild and domesticated bird populations, Leonard said some other animals, even people, could be exposed. The symptoms are commonly associated with the flu. 'So since the bird flu is in the family of influenza A you're going to have similar symptoms to influenza. So you're going to have a cough, congestion, runny nose, fever, sore throat, body aches,and fatigue. Sometimes you can get some conjunctivitis, which is just an eye infection, as well as some shortness of breath,' said Leonard. While uncommon among humans, Leonard said those who work directly with poultry, waterfowl, and cows are most at risk. 'You would have to be in close contact with the infected poultry, either through their nasal secretions, their saliva or feces,' said Leonard. 'Symptoms usually develop about two to 10 days after exposure of the infected bird.' Since March of last year, experts from the CDC have said more than 15,000 people have been exposed to infected animals, but less than 70 human cases were confirmed. 'Unfortunately, there's no test for bird flu. However, since it's in the family of influenza A, you can always get tested for influenza A, and your test will be positive,' said Leonard. That's why Leonard said it's important to know the signs and symptoms and practice living a healthy lifestyle. 'Currently there is no vaccine. So, the best way to prevent this is proper hand washing and just staying away from infected birds and poultry,' said Leonard. 'If you do get infected, there is an antiviral, Tamiflu, which helps with the symptoms and decreases the risk of pneumonia as well as hospitalization.' Doctors said those with weaker immune systems, chronic health conditions, as well as pregnant women are more at risk of developing the illness if they are exposed. If you have questions, concerns or think you might have been exposed to Bird Flu be sure to contact your primary care physician. To submit a health topic for our 'Ask the Expert' series, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Biosecurity Product Targets $3.2B Avian Influenza Crisis:
Enviro Tech Secures EPA Registration for PeraGuard® AH to Combat Avian Influenza* Patented Granular Formulation Expands Your Zone of Protection MODESTO, CALIFORNIA / / March 11, 2025 / Enviro Tech, an Arxada company, has achieved an important milestone that can help alleviate the impact of Avian Influenza. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted a label amendment for PeraGuard® AH (EPA Reg. No. 63838-32), permitting label claims on surfaces against Avian Influenza and other animal viruses. This breakthrough positions PeraGuard® AH as a vital tool in the fight against Avian influenza, a disease that has devastated poultry operations nationwide. The Devastating Cost of Avian Influenza Since 2022, the USDA reports more than 150 million chickens and turkeys have been lost to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the United States. The loss of laying hens has contributed to an increase in egg prices of 52% since last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, underscoring the urgent need for new, more effective sanitation solutions. PeraGuard® AH rises to this challenge with its newly expanded label, which includes claims for entryway boot sanitization, general disinfection, and virucidal efficacy against Avian Influenza and other pathogens. This patented dry peracetic acid (PAA) formulation strengthens environmental biosecurity in high-risk areas such as entryways, foot pans, and high-traffic zones. "PeraGuard® AH is not just another solution - it empowers producers to take further steps toward advancing their biosecurity sanitation goals," said Dr. Scott McKenzie, head of tech services, Animal Health North America for Arxada. "PeraGuard® AH's ability to combat Avian Influenza directly on surfaces addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing livestock producers today. Establishing a 'zone of protection' at the entryways helps reduce the risk of cross-contamination and supports the biosecurity of entire operations." How PeraGuard® AH Works PeraGuard® AH is engineered with patented controlled-release chemistry that activates upon contact with water. Its concentrated, odorless, and dustless granules cling to boots and shoes, spreading protection throughout barns and facilities. This innovative formulation provides effective disinfection against: Viruses: Avian Influenza A (H3N2), Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus, Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Bacteria: Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa To learn more about how PeraGuard® AH works - download our infographic A Critical Line of Defense The amended EPA registration of PeraGuard® AH for efficacy against Avian Influenza comes at a crucial time as concerns grow about cross-species transmission from poultry to cattle and other livestock. PeraGuard® AH has already demonstrated its effectiveness in food manufacturing and processing facilities. Its extension into livestock operations advances biosecurity practices across industries. "The poultry industry has suffered costly losses due to HPAI (High Pathogenic Avian Infection), and new, proven solutions for addressing this challenge are welcome," McKenzie said. "PeraGuard® AH is genuinely a game-changer in its effectiveness and versatility. With these new label claims, we are eager to show producers what this innovative new product can do to mitigate Avian Influenza on every part of the farm." With producers nationwide fighting to protect their flocks from Avian Influenza's devastating reach, PeraGuard® AH delivers a new solution through proven scientific excellence. Availability PeraGuard® AH is available through animal health distributors nationwide. To learn more about this groundbreaking formulation or locate a distributor near you, visit Enviro Tech's website or contact your local sales representative. About Enviro Tech Enviro Tech - an Arxada company - is a leading manufacturer and supplier of innovative peroxyacetic acid formulations, delivering wide-ranging solutions that optimize operational efficiencies for keeping food and water safe and environments clean. Enviro Tech provides a complete line of EPA- and FDA-authorized products for a variety of industries, including industrial water treatment, meat and poultry processing, food & beverage, agriculture, animal health, oil & gas, wastewater treatment, and more. Enviro Tech holds 41 EPA registrations, 15 FDA Food Contact Notifications, and 14 U.S. patents. About Arxada Arxada is a global science-based specialty ingredients business creating innovative chemistry and solutions. With customers in more than 100 countries, it achieved sales of CHF 2.0 billion in 2023. The company aims to solve the world's toughest preservation challenges by enhancing sustainability with cleaner, greener solutions. Arxada focuses on multiple end-markets, primarily in: Human Health & Nutrition, Home & Personal Care, Paints & Coatings and Wood Protection, providing a broad portfolio of differentiated products and solutions, supported by its science and innovation capabilities, in-depth regulatory know-how and track record in manufacturing and process development. Headquartered in Basel (Switzerland), the company's 3,400 employees contribute to the success of its customers, spanning 24 production sites and 14 R&D centers. To learn more about Arxada, please visit: and Arxada on LinkedIn *PeraGuard® AH is approved for disinfection on hard, non-porous, non-food contact surfaces. See product label for full usage instructions. Use biocides safely. Review and follow all product label and safety instructions. All product information corresponds to Arxada's knowledge on the subject at the date of publication, but Arxada makes no warranty as to its accuracy or completeness and Arxada assumes no obligation to update it. Product information is intended for use by recipients experienced and knowledgeable in the field, who are capable of and responsible for independently determining the suitability of ingredients for intended uses and to ensure their compliance with applicable law. All trademarks belong to Arxada or its affiliates. © 2025 Arxada. Media Contacts: Jane +1 612-209-9162 David Hlavacdavid@ SOURCE: Enviro Tech, an Arxada Company View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
Reuters
18-02-2025
- Health
- Reuters
French bird flu vaccine campaign helps poultry output recover, producers say
PARIS, Feb 18 (Reuters) - A bird flu vaccination campaign launched in France in 2023 has enabled the country's poultry production to recover to levels not seen since outbreaks of the virus wiped out tens of millions of birds, producers said on Tuesday. Avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, is a viral disease that has ravaged poultry flocks worldwide in recent years. There has also been evidence of transmission beyond birds, including dairy cows and farm workers in the United States. France requires vaccination of ducks, the most sensitive species to the virus, making it the world's first large poultry exporter to launch a nationwide bird flu vaccine campaign. But some countries have put restrictions on French imports as a result - concerned that vaccinated birds pose a risk as they may not show signs of infection, meaning it is impossible to determine whether the virus is in a flock. Despite such trade concerns, the chair of French poultry industry group Anvol, Jean-Michel Schaeffer, said "vaccination is a success". "Between last year and this year, all species are increasing because we have avoided major health crises. This has allowed farmers to return to full production," he told reporters. In 2024, French poultry output rose 12.1% from the previous year after gaining 2% versus 2022. It is now 1.1% above the "pre-crisis level" of 2019, a year with relatively few bird flu outbreaks, Anvol said. The French poultry producers' comments come days after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) gave conditional approval to Zoetis to use its bird flu vaccine in poultry. The U.S. had built a poultry vaccine stockpile after major bird flu outbreaks in 2014 and 2015, though the vaccines were never used due to trade concerns.
CBS News
31-01-2025
- Health
- CBS News
23 Riverside County dairy and poultry farms test positive for bird flu, health officials say
At least 23 dairy and poultry farms in Riverside County have tested positive for Avian influenza, or bird flu, the virus causing outbreaks in several other areas of the U.S., health officials said Wednesday. No human cases have been detected in the county but the Riverside University Health System has told local residents to take precautions as a growing number of commercial agriculture facilities and wildlife are exposed to the virus. Earlier this month, a patient hospitalized with the first human case of the virus, or H5N1, died in the state of Louisiana, health officials said. While reporting the fatality, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that a death from the virus is "not unexpected" since it has a "known potential" for leading to severe symptoms, illness, and even death. The severity of illness can depend on factors such as genetic changes of the virus and the amount of virus to which people are exposed, the CDC reports. There have been 66 confirmed human cases of bird flu in the U.S. since last year and 67 since 2022, U.S. health officials say. The Riverside University Health System reports there have been no cases of person-to-person transmission in the country. The health system has listed the various ways the virus can be transferred as well as tips for preventing exposure and infection. How the virus is spread Touching of the eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands after exposure to contaminated surfaces and the handling of sick or dead animals Breathing in droplets or dust contaminated with the virus Consumption of unpasteurized raw milk and dairy products Tips for preventing exposure Washing hands immediately after coming into contact with animals and avoiding touching one's eyes, nose or mouth afterwards Wearing protective clothing and footwear while working with animals and changing clothes or showering after exposure Staying outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor environments while working with animals Using and wearing personal protective equipment such as an N95 respirator when handling animals that could be infected
