Latest news with #KristenColeman
Associated Press
03-06-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Avian Influenza and Worker Safety: Understanding and Managing the H5N1 Risk
Insights informed by the IBEC webinar ' Avian Influenza and Worker Safety: Navigating the H5N1 Challenge ' held on March 27, 2025. The rise of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), particularly the H5N1 strain, presents serious challenges to worker safety across several industries. From poultry farms and veterinary clinics to laboratories and wildlife agencies, anyone working in close contact with birds—or even pets that come into contact with infected animals—may be at risk of exposure. The Integrated Bioscience and Built Environment Consortium ( IBEC ) brought together experts to examine the occupational health risks associated with H5N1 and to discuss strategies for protecting frontline workers. Speakers highlighted critical risk pathways, personal protective measures, mental health considerations, and lessons learned from recent research and outbreaks. Who's Most at Risk? Several job sectors are particularly vulnerable to H5N1 exposure, including: Emerging evidence shows that avian influenza can affect domestic and wild cats—sometimes fatally. Dr. Kristen Coleman of the University of Maryland School of Public Health shared research showing that 607 feline deaths linked to AIV have been recorded globally over the past decade across 18 countries and 12 species of felines. Transmission often occurs when cats consume infected birds or raw poultry products. Contaminated raw chicken feed and dairy milk have been implicated in both domestic and captive animals, including tigers. Additionally, Dr. Maggie Baldwin from the Colorado Department of Agriculture cited two recent cases in indoor-only domestic cats in Colorado, with no known exposure to infected animals. These incidents suggest new and less-understood transmission routes and reinforce the importance of vigilance even in seemingly low-risk scenarios. How to Reduce Risk: Key Strategies Protecting workers from H5N1 requires a layered, proactive approach: 1. Training and Awareness Educating employees about transmission pathways, symptoms, and protective measures is essential. This includes pet safety, as infected cats may serve as early indicators of outbreaks in the area. Basic pet-related guidance includes: If a pet tests positive, it may indicate local viral circulation. 2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) High-risk workers should be equipped with: Proper training and compliance monitoring are just as important as PPE availability. 3. Strong Biosecurity and Hygiene Protocols 4. Surveillance and Monitoring Active surveillance in bird populations—both domestic and wild—is key to early detection and response. Public-private collaboration is vital for timely data sharing and coordinated action. 5. Vaccination and Medical Monitoring Although no commercial H5N1 vaccine for humans currently exists, seasonal flu vaccination can help reduce co-infection risks. For high-risk roles, employers should consider regular health surveillance and exposure testing. 6. Designated Outbreak Coordinators For organizations in high-risk sectors, appointing an H5N1 case manager to oversee protocols and incident response can improve outbreak management and reduce confusion. Enhancing Protection Through Workplace Controls Employers should implement foundational occupational health strategies: What to Do During an Outbreak If an H5N1 outbreak occurs, rapid action is crucial: Final Thoughts Avian influenza is more than a veterinary or agricultural issue, it's a growing occupational health concern that requires a multi-sector response. Key actions include prioritizing worker training and protection, maintaining robust biosecurity, and responding swiftly and transparently during outbreaks. The threat of H5N1 will continue to evolve. Ongoing research, like that of Dr. Coleman and Dr. Baldwin, surveillance programs, and interagency collaboration will be essential to minimizing harm and safeguarding both public and occupational health. Questions? Reach out to our Health & Safety team today! Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Antea Group
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Spikes of Bird Flu in Cats Could Be a Warning of a Future Pandemic
Cats infected with bird flu are falling under the radar when it comes to tracking and managing the virus, and this must change rapidly, scientists warn in a new paper. The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) in the US has put poultry and dairy farms on high alert, resulting in culls that are devastating the industries, and fears it could transform into a human pandemic. We've seen reports of infections in cats, but new research from the University of Maryland in the US suggests feline cases – and the risk of transmission from cats to humans – is not being taken seriously enough. "Bird flu is very deadly to cats, and we urgently need to figure out how widespread the virus is in cat populations to better assess spillover risk to humans," airborne infectious disease researcher Kristen Coleman says. This is particularly crucial as birds in the United States make their springtime migrations, potentially spreading the virus further afield. "As summer approaches, we are anticipating cases on farms and in the wild to rise again," Coleman adds. Coleman and her co-author, animal scientist Ian Bemis, analyzed peer-reviewed research published between 2004 and 2024, finding 607 reported cases of bird flu infection in cats globally. Across 18 countries and 12 species (ranging from house cats to zoo tigers), 302 deaths were associated with the virus. The researchers believe that a lack of monitoring means these numbers are a serious underestimation. They noticed that in 2023, reports of pet cat infections increased drastically. In 2023 and 2024, there was a spike in the number of pet cats infected with, and killed by, bird flu. Most cases can be attributed to the deadliest strain of bird flu, H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, which had a 90 percent case fatality rate within the data. However, this rate may not reflect the actual risk of death to cats if infected, since testing has been very limited. The authors urge authorities, veterinarians, and pet owners to increase surveillance of cats. "We want to help protect both people and pets," Coleman says. There are no confirmed cases of cat-to-human transmission for this particular strain of bird flu, although in 2016, the outbreak of a different strain among cats in New York City animal shelters did result in cat-to-human transmission. Human-to-human transmission is yet to be recorded, but researchers are concerned this ability may only be a few genetic mutations away. Nonetheless, Coleman and Bemis note that owners of farm cats, free-roaming cats, veterinarians, zookeepers, and animal shelter volunteers may have a higher risk of exposure to bird flu through interspecies transmissions. Hunting is in a cat's nature. A free-range cat can kill around 186 animals each year. Besides protecting wildlife and saving on vet bills, this might be another good reason to transition your beloved companion to an indoor lifestyle. Cats become infected by hunting and eating infected wild birds and mammals, or by consuming infected raw pet food or raw cow's milk – including products sold commercially. They can also catch the virus from other mammals they live alongside, including cats in the neighborhood and, potentially, their owners. "Our future research will involve studies to determine the prevalence of high pathogenicity avian influenza and other influenza viruses in high-risk cat populations such as dairy barn cats," Bemis says. The research is published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases. HIV Drugs Dramatically Lower Risk of Alzheimer's Disease, Study Finds Measles Could Become Endemic in US if Surge Continues, Expert Warns Sleep Helps Your Brain Prepare For The Future, And Now We Know How
