Latest news with #GregoryGray
Boston Globe
19-05-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
The US hasn't seen a human bird flu case in three months. Experts are wondering why.
The H5N1 bird flu has been spreading widely among wild birds, poultry and other animals around the world for several years, and starting early last year became a problem in people and cows in the U.S. Advertisement In the last 14 months, infections have been reported in 70 people in the U.S. — most of them workers on dairy and poultry farms. One person died, but most of the infected people had mild illnesses. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The most recent infections confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were in early February in Nevada, Ohio and Wyoming. California had been a hotspot, with three-quarters of the nation's infections in dairy cattle. But testing and cases among people have fallen off. At least 50 people were tested each month in late 2024, but just three people were tested in March, one in April and none in May so far, state records show. Overall, the state has confirmed H5N1 infections in 38 people, none after Jan. 14. Advertisement The possible natural reason bird flu cases are down During a call with U.S. doctors this month, one CDC official noted that there is a seasonality to bird flu: Cases peak in the fall and early winter, possibly due to the migration patterns of wild birds that are primary spreaders of the virus. That could mean the U.S. is experiencing a natural — maybe temporary — decline in cases. It's unlikely that a severe human infection, requiring hospitalization, would go unnoticed, said Michael Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases. What's more, a patchwork system that monitors viruses in sewage and wastewater has suggested limited activity recently. New infections are still being detected in birds and cattle, but not as frequently as several months ago. 'Given the fact that the number of animal detections has fallen according to USDA data, it's not surprising that human cases have declined as well,' the CDC said in a statement. Are government cuts affecting bird flu monitoring? Dr. Gregory Gray said he wasn't concerned about the CDC not identifying new cases in months. 'I don't think that anybody's hiding anything,' said Gray, an infectious disease speicialist at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. But Osterholm and some other experts think it's likely that at least some milder infections are going undetected. And they worry that the effort to find them has been eroding. Resignations at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine could slow the government's bird flu monitoring, said Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Three of 14 experts accepted deferred resignation offers at the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, which responds to disease outbreaks with crucial diagnostic information, he said. They are among more than 15,000 USDA staff to accept the offers, an agency spokesperson said. Advertisement And dozens of staff were fired at the FDA's Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network, which investigates animal diseases caused by problems including contaminated pet food. Cats in several states have been sickened and died after eating raw pet food found to contain poultry infected with H5N1. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, said 'targeted surveillance has really dropped off precipitously since Trump took office.' She wonders if immigrant farmworkers are too scared to come forward. 'I can't argue with anyone who would be risking getting shipped to a Salvadoran gulag for reporting an exposure or seeking testing,' she said. CDC says the risk to the general public remains low The CDC characterizes the risk to the general public as low, although it is higher for people who work with cattle and poultry or who are in contact with wild birds. Earlier this month, an agency assessment said there is a 'moderate risk' that currently circulating strains of bird flu could cause a future pandemic, but the CDC stressed that other emerging forms of bird flu has been similarly labeled in the past. Still, research is continuing. Texas A&M University scientists have collected blood samples from dairy workers in multiple states to test for signs of past H5N1 exposure, said David Douphrate, a workplace health and safety expert leading the project. The yearlong study is funded by a nearly $4 million grant from the CDC and is expected to conclude in July. Douphrate said he leveraged two decades of relationships with dairy producers and workers to gain access to the farms. Advertisement 'We have had very good participation,' Douphrate said. 'They have been very willing.' Similar surveillance is 'urgently needed' among domestic cats, said Kristen Coleman, a researcher at the University of Maryland at College Park who studies emerging animal diseases. She recently released a paper reviewing bird flu in infections in cats between 2004 and 2024. Barn cats that died after drinking raw milk were one of the first signs that dairy cows were becoming infected with bird flu in 2024. Since then, the Agriculture Department has confirmed more than 120 domestic cats infected with the virus across the U.S. Infections have mostly been found in cats that died. Less is known about milder infections, whether cats can recover from bird flu — or whether the virus can spill over into people. Coleman has been collecting blood samples from cats across the U.S. to see if they have evidence of previous exposure to the virus. But the process is slow and research funding is uncertain. 'It's easy to downplay something because that's usually what humans do,' she said. 'But what we really need to be doing is ramping up.'
Gulf News
14-02-2025
- Health
- Gulf News
H5N1 bird flu silently spread from animals to some humans: US CDC
New Delhi: H5N1 bird flu has silently spread from animals to some humans who treat animals, according to a study, by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that suggests bird flu cases may be undercounted. 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
Voice of America
13-02-2025
- Health
- Voice of America
Some veterinarians didn't know they had bird flu, study suggests
A new study shows that bird flu has silently spread from animals to some veterinarians. The study published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention echoes two smaller ones that detected evidence of infection in previously undiagnosed farmworkers. In those studies, several of the infected workers remembered having symptoms of H5N1 bird flu, while none of the veterinarians in the new paper recalled any such symptoms. The new study is more evidence that the official U.S. tally of confirmed human bird flu infections — 68 in the last year — 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 said. He said it shows that officials cannot fully understand bird flu transmission by only tracking people who go to medical clinics with symptoms. Evidence of antibodies CDC researchers went to an American Association of Bovine Practitioners veterinary conference in September 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. They recruited 150 vets from 46 states to fill out a questionnaire and agree to have their blood drawn. None said they had suffered red eyes or other symptoms associated with bird flu. Testing found three of the vets, or 2%, had evidence of antibodies to H5N1 infection. All three worked with dairy cattle, as well as other animals. None had worked with a herd known to be infected, although one had worked with a flock of infected poultry. Gray and some colleagues did a study last year of 14 dairy farmworkers and found that two, or 14%, had evidence of past infections. Both had experienced symptoms but were never diagnosed. Another study published last year by the CDC checked 115 dairy workers. The researchers found that eight of them, or 7%, had evidence in their blood of recent infection. Half recalled feeling ill. The studies were far too small to use as a basis to provide a solid estimate of how many undiagnosed human infections are out there, Gray said. But even just a very small percentage could translate to hundreds or thousands of Americans who were infected while working with animals, he noted. That's not necessarily a reason to be alarmed, said Jacqueline Nolting, an Ohio State University researcher who helped CDC with the latest study. Available studies suggest people who are infected mount antibody responses and may develop natural immunity, which is "good news," she said. However, if the virus changes or mutates to start making people very sick, or to start spreading easily from person to person, that would be "a completely different story," Nolting said. Caution around sick birds The H5N1 bird flu has been spreading widely among wild birds, poultry, cows and other animals. Its escalating presence in the environment increases the chances people will be exposed and potentially catch it, officials have said. Right now, the risk to the public is low, the CDC says. But officials continue to urge people who have contact with sick or dead birds to take precautions, including wearing respiratory and eye protection and gloves when handling poultry. "No one's really questioning that the virus has been moving around the country more than has been reported," said Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. He said he expected to see stepped-up information reminding veterinarians across the country to protect themselves with gloves, masks and other equipment to halt infection.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Some people didn't know they had a bird flu infection, study of veterinarians suggests
NEW YORK (AP) — A new study shows that bird flu has silently spread from animals to some veterinarians. The study published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention echoes two smaller ones that detected evidence of infection in previously undiagnosed farmworkers. In those studies, several of the infected workers remembered having symptoms of H5N1 bird flu, while none of the veterinarians in the new paper recalled any such symptoms. The new study is more evidence that the official U.S. tally of confirmed human bird flu infections — 68 in the last year — is likely a significant undercount, said Dr. Gregory Gray, an infectious disease researcher at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. '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 said. He said it shows that officials cannot fully understand bird flu transmission by only tracking people who go to medical clinics with symptoms. Study suggests bird flu cases are undercounted CDC researchers went to an American Association of Bovine Practitioners veterinary conference in September 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. They recruited 150 vets from 46 states to fill out a questionnaire and agree to have their blood drawn. None said they had suffered red eyes or other symptoms associated with bird flu. Testing found three of the vets, or 2%, had evidence of antibodies to H5N1 infection. All three worked with dairy cattle, as well as other animals. None said they'd worked with a herd that was known to be infected, although one had worked with a flock of infected poultry. Gray and some colleagues did a study last year of 14 dairy farmworkers and found two, or 14%, had evidence of past infections. Both had experienced symptoms but were never diagnosed. Another study published last year by the CDC checked 115 dairy workers. The researchers found that eight of them, or 7%, had evidence in their blood of recent infection. Half recalled feeling ill. The studies were far too small to use as a basis to provide a solid estimate of how many undiagnosed human infections are out there, Gray said. But even just a very small percentage could translate to hundreds or thousands of Americans who were infected while working with animals, he noted. That's not necessarily a reason to be alarmed, said Jacqueline Nolting, an Ohio State University researcher who helped CDC with the latest study. Available studies suggest people who are infected mount antibody responses and may develop natural immunity, which is 'good news,' she said. However, if the virus changes or mutates to start making people very sick, or to start spreading easily from person to person, that would be 'a completely different story,' Nolting said. Experts urge caution around animals The H5N1 bird flu has been spreading widely among wild birds, poultry, cows and other animals. Its escalating presence in the environment increases the chances people will be exposed, and potentially catch it, officials have said. Right now the risk to the general public is low, the CDC says. But officials continue to urge people who have contact with sick or dead birds to take precautions, including wearing respiratory and eye protection and gloves when handling poultry. 'No one's really questioning that the virus has been moving around the country more than has been reported,' said Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. He said he expected to see stepped-up information reminding veterinarians across the country to protect themselves with gloves, masks and other equipment to halt infection. ___ Associated Press writer JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Some people didn't know they had a bird flu infection, study of veterinarians suggests
A new study shows that bird flu has silently spread from animals to some veterinarians. The study published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention echoes two smaller ones that detected evidence of infection in previously undiagnosed farmworkers. In those studies, several of the infected workers remembered having symptoms of H5N1 bird flu, while none of the veterinarians in the new paper recalled any such symptoms. The new study is more evidence that the official U.S. tally of confirmed human bird flu infections — 68 in the last year — 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 said. He said it shows that officials cannot fully understand bird flu transmission by only tracking people who to go to medical clinics with symptoms. CDC researchers went to an American Association of Bovine Practitioners veterinary conference in September 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. They recruited 150 vets from 46 states to fill out a questionnaire and agree to have their blood drawn. None said they had suffered red eyes or other symptoms associated with bird flu. Testing found three of the vets, or 2%, had evidence of antibodies to H5N1 infection. All three worked with dairy cattle, as well as other animals. None said they'd worked with a herd that was known to be infected, although one had worked with a flock of infected poultry. Gray and some colleagues did a study last year of 14 dairy farmworkers and found two, or 14%, had evidence of past infections. Both had experienced symptoms but were never diagnosed. Another study published last year by the CDC checked 115 dairy workers. The researchers found that eight of them, or 7%, had evidence in their blood of recent infection. Half recalled feeling ill. The studies were far too small to use as a basis to provide a solid estimate of how many undiagnosed human infections are out there, Gray said. But even just a very small percentage could translate to hundreds or thousands of Americans who were infected while working with animals, he noted. That's not necessarily a reason to be alarmed, said Jacqueline Nolting, an Ohio State University researcher who helped CDC with the latest study. Available studies suggest people who are infected mount antibody responses and may develop natural immunity, which is 'good news,' she said. However, if the virus changes or mutates to start making people very sick, or to start spreading easily from person to person, that would be 'a completely different story,' Nolting said. Experts urge caution around animals The H5N1 bird flu has been spreading widely among wild birds, poultry, cows and other animals. Its escalating presence in the environment increases the chances people will be exposed, and potentially catch it, officials have said. Right now the risk to the general public is low, the CDC says. But officials continue to urge people who have contact with sick or dead birds to take precautions, including wearing respiratory and eye protection and gloves when handling poultry. 'No one's really questioning that the virus has been moving around the country more than has been reported,' said Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. He said he expected to see stepped-up information reminding veterinarians across the country to protect themselves with gloves, masks and other equipment to halt infection. ___ Associated Press writer JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
