Latest news with #WyomingDepartmentofHealth
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
19-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird flu latest updates: Wyoming confirms state's 1st human case of bird flu, bringing total to 70 across 13 states
Bird flu is spreading across the United States, causing egg shortages and soaring prices at supermarkets and restaurants — however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the current public health risk is low. On Friday, the Wyoming Department of Health confirmed the state's first human case of H5N1 bird flu. That case is the third confirmed hospitalization related to the virus in the U.S. Over the weekend, Ohio's health department confirmed to CBS News that a farmer in the state sickened with bird flu was also hospitalized and has since been released, making it the fourth hospitalization in the U.S. 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. The CDC's website currently indicates there are 68 confirmed human cases of bird flu across 11 states, with one death in Louisiana associated with the H5N1 infection. As of Feb. 18, Wyoming's and Ohio's human cases bring the total to 70 confirmed human cases of bird flu across 13 states. In recent months, cases of avian influenza have increased in animals, including poultry, wild birds, dairy cows and even pet cats. Nearly 23 million birds were affected by the virus in January, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Since February 2022, over 138 million birds have been infected by H5N1. As of Feb. 18, 70 cases of bird flu detected in humans have been confirmed across 13 U.S. states due to exposure from infected commercial poultry, dairy cattle herds or other animals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the current public health risk of bird flu is low. The states where human cases of bird flu have thus far been identified are Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Wyoming. Health experts believe the primary way that H5N1 bird flu has spread onto farms is through the feces of wild birds. But a 2024 investigation in the Czech Republic of chickens on a highly secure, state-of-the-art farm has concluded that the virus could have been spread there by the wind. 'The whole idea of potentially being sort of wind-driven has been out there for a while,' Dr. Richard Webby, who directs the World Health Organization's Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals, told CNN. Webby added that the spread of the virus due to wind doesn't necessarily make bird flu a bigger threat to humans. While it takes just a small amount of virus to infect a bird, it takes a more substantial amount to infect humans, he said. Yes. Since last summer, U.S. public health agencies have been preparing millions of doses of a vaccine for H5N1 bird flu. By this spring, about 10 million doses will be available, or enough to vaccinate 5 million people, a spokesperson at the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response told NBC News. The reason federal officials haven't authorized a bird flu vaccine for humans at this time is thatillnesses have been relatively mild and don't require hospitalization. Currently, there's no human-to-human transmission evidence and the virus's risk to the general public is low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Should a bird flu vaccine be needed for humans, the national stockpile should be sufficient for immunizing first responders and at-risk populations. The American Veterinary Medical Association is encouraging owners of backyard flocks or pet birds to take precautions in areas where there are currently bird flu outbreaks. Make sure backyard bird areas are fully enclosed, away from wild birds and their feces. Pet birds should be brought indoors. Before and after handling birds, wash and sanitize your hands. Keep feed, drinking water, equipment and other supplies used to care for backyard flocks away from wild birds or rodents. Avoid visits to places where other birds are kept. Visitors should be kept away from the flock or pet bird. Know the signs and symptoms of bird flu in your backyard flock, provided here. Report any suspected infections to your veterinarian or state animal health official. The first human case of bird flu in Wyoming was confirmed on Friday, the state's Department of Health said in a statement. State health officer Dr. Alexia Harrist said an older woman was hospitalized with the virus. She added the woman has health conditions that make her more vulnerable to illness and noted she was "likely exposed to the virus through direct contact with an infected poultry flock at her home." The state's health department noted the Wyoming case was the third instance of hospitalization linked to bird flu in the United States. 'We want to remind people there has been no documented human-to-human virus transmission of this virus in the United States so far,' Harrist said, adding that bird flu does not require a high level of concern among Wyoming residents. The demand for vegan egg substitutes is on the rise, as chicken egg prices spike amid a nationwide bird flu outbreak. Vegan egg companies like Eat Just saw January sales increase five times compared with last year. The company, which makes Just Egg branded products, uses mung beans and canola oil in its liquid-form egg substitute. The sales of those products have expanded at retailers. "Just Egg sales have accelerated, with one major chain, which the company declined to name, posting weekly gains on a year-over-year basis as high as 70%," Bloomberg reported. Egg prices have risen 53% over the last year, including a 15% increase in January alone. But the cost of chicken meat has barely risen 1% since this time last year, according to recent Consumer Price Index data. The chickens specifically used for laying eggs are separate from other chickens raised for meat, also known as "broilers." Broiler chickens can also get sick with the bird flu but have been less susceptible to the current outbreak because they have a shorter life span and are usually slaughtered within two months. Less time on a farm means there's less opportunity for broilers to get infected. Meanwhile, egg-laying hens take longer to mature and start producing eggs after four or five months. They have been hit much harder than broilers by the bird flu, making up 75% of the birds affected from the start of the outbreak in 2022. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo signed a bill Friday that seeks to help with the rising cost of eggs in the state due to the increase in bird flu. "This bipartisan legislation represents how effective the legislature can be when they work together," Lombardo said in a statement. The legislation, known as Assembly Bill 171, was just introduced in the state legislature two weeks ago. It bypasses a 2021 state law that says only cage-free eggs must be sold in Nevada. The law will allow the state's quarantine officer to temporarily allow the sale of non-cage-free eggs, or Grade B eggs, for up to 120 days to help increase the supply of eggs to stores. Under the new law, small farmers will also be able to sell their eggs to retailers. Grade B eggs are safe to eat but usually aren't found in retail stores because "they are used to make liquid, frozen and dried egg products," according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the first study under the Trump administration on the bird flu outbreak. The delayed release of the report comes after a January order from the administration that temporarily halted the release of public communications from federal health agencies until approved by a Trump appointee. The CDC study found bird flu antibodies in three cattle veterinarians who were tested last fall (out of 150 who were tested in total). The presence of antibodies indicates that those three veterinarians had the virus at some point, even though they didn't experience symptoms. The authors said this finding means there could be people and animals infected with bird flu in states where infection in dairy cattle hasn't been identified yet. Egg prices rose more than 15% from December to January. A dozen eggs cost about $4.95, which is "five times the overall U.S. inflation rate of 3%," CBS News reported using Consumer Price Index data. Soaring egg prices have brought nationwide attention to the widespread impact of the bird flu outbreak. Millions of birds, including chickens and ducks, have had to be euthanized since the start of the H5N1 outbreak, in 2022. While egg prices will continue to rise, they are expected to do so at a slower rate. The spike we saw in January "is likely a one-off," Gregory Daco, EY-Parthenon chief economist, told CBS News. The Ohio Department of Health reported the state's first probable human case of bird flu on Wednesday. This brings the total number of reported human cases to 69 across 12 states. A man who works on a farm in Mercer County in western Ohio came into contact with deceased commercial poultry that was infected with the virus. The health department says the overall risk to people in the state remains low, but it warned that humans should avoid direct contact with sick or dead poultry or wild birds. The Buckeye State has been experiencing the most bird flu outbreaks in the U.S., with more than 10 million birds affected by the virus across at least 54 commercial flocks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hundreds of thousands of chickens in Jay County, Ind., were determined to have been infected with the bird flu, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health announced this week. Over 912,000 egg-laying hens are under quarantine at a farm, officials said. The farm has not been publicly identified. It's the second-largest outbreak in the state since the global bird flu outbreak started in 2022. The largest outbreak in Indiana occurred in January at Seymour-based Rose Acre Farms, which is the second-largest U.S. egg producer, with over 2.6 million birds affected. More than 300 dead wild birds have been discovered across five Michigan counties so far in 2025, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Here's where they have been found: Allegan County: 77 dead Canada geese, one dead mallard from Allegan State Game Area Shiawassee County: More than 80 dead Canada geese along the Shiawassee River near Owosso Ingham County: Roughly 25 dead Canada geese at Williamston Lakes Eaton County: 20 dead wild birds along the Grand River in Grand Ledge Washtenaw County: About 100 dead wild birds "If you find a dead wild bird, you should leave it alone; however, if you need to remove it, do not touch it with your bare hands. You should wear gloves and other personal protective equipment," said Mitch Marcus, DNR wildlife health supervisor. "The best advice we can give is to treat every wild bird as though it has a disease." Various parks around the New Jersey borough of Allentown are closed after about 30 dead Canadian geese that were removed over the weekend are suspected to have been infected with bird flu. Dr. Farmer's Park, Pete Sensi Park and a part of Heritage Park, all located close to Trenton, will remain closed while officials figure out what the best options are for public health safety, the borough's mayor, Thomas Fritts, said. A spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said the birds collected may be tested for bird flu, but it's not verified as the cause of death. "We also may not send samples in if there's been a recent positive in the area,' Tanya Espinosa, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Health and Plant Inspection Service, wrote in an email to NJ Advance Media. 'It's presumed since we know there is active (avian influenza) that birds died from it.' Three of the top five states that produce the most milk in the U.S. — Texas, Wisconsin and Idaho — are not participating in a voluntary milk testing program that was started by the U.S. Department of Agriculture after dairy cows were infected with the bird flu last March. More recently, a new variant of the bird flu was detected in dairy cows in Nevada. NBC News reports: While the risk to humans remains low, many public and animal health experts argue that broad, nationwide testing of milk is critical to containing virus cases that might otherwise go undetected, giving the variants more opportunities to spread to animals — and to humans. "It is incredibly difficult to control a disease of national importance unless we have a robust surveillance system in place," said Dr. K. Fred Gingrich II, executive director of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, which represents cow veterinarians. "If we were testing every dairy, I don't think you'd have any cases slipping through the cracks." Read more from NBC: Bird flu is spreading in cattle, but some states still aren't part of U.S. milk testing Grocery chains like Costco, Trader Joe's, Sam's Club, Walmart, Whole Foods and Kroger across the country are introducing limits on the number of eggs a customer can buy in one trip, due to the egg shortage from the nationwide avian flu outbreak. Here's a list of some stores and how they are cracking down: Costco: In some locations, egg purchases are capped at three dozen. Trader Joe's: The store has a nationwide limit of one dozen eggs per customer per day. Sam's Club: There's a limit of two packages per customer. Walmart: Customers in certain states are limited to two 60-count egg cartons per trip. Whole Foods: Shoppers can only buy three cartons of eggs at a time. Kroger: The store has not implemented a national limit, but some stores are limiting customers to buying two dozen eggs per trip. There have been 68 confirmed cases of bird flu detected in humans across 11 U.S. states due to exposure from infected commercial poultry, dairy cattle herds, or other animals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency says the current public health risk of bird flu is low. The states where human cases of bird flu have thus far been identified are Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Michigan. The state of Virginia is facing its biggest spike in bird flu cases since the U.S. outbreak started in 2022, Axios reports. From Jan. 4 to Feb. 3 alone, there have been nearly 12 times the infections in the state at one commercial flock in Accomack County, with over 441,000 birds affected, the outlet reported, citing data from the Department of Agriculture. In 2023, 37,450 birds were infected with the avian flu throughout Virginia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that the public health risk from bird flu, also known as H5N1, is low and the agency "is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures." Humans who contract H5N1 can experience mild symptoms such as: • Fever or feeling feverish or chills • Eye redness or irritation • Respiratory symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and tiredness The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife announced on Tuesday new cases of bird flu detected in wild birds, including four Canada geese, two red-tailed hawks and a great horned owl in recent weeks. The infected birds were located in the towns of Kennebunk, Kittery, Ogunquit, South Berwick, South Portland and York. Officials have upgraded the risk of avian flu among domestic poultry, like chickens, ducks, geese and guinea hens, from "moderate" to "high" because the virus can spread easily from wild birds to domestic ones. Commercial and backyard flock owners are urged to limit contact between domestic and wild birds, wash hands, sanitize boots and equipment and wear clean clothes after handling birds.
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
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.
