July 20024  In a recent Living Well Show radio broadcast heard on St. Barnabas Beaver County radio station, Dr. Joseph Maroon and Jeff Bost PAC discuss the “Facts and Fears” surrounding the increasing numbers of Bird Flu infections.  Specifically, they address the question, “Will bird flu be the next pandemic?“.

You can tune into “Living Well” every Saturday morning at 8:30 on 95.7 and 99.3 FM, 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, and beavercountyradio.com. The Show will air LIVE on the stations and website on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 8:30 am. You can also listen to all previous episodes of “Living Well” by going to the recorded podcasts at beavercountyradio.com. 

Here are some of the Facts and Concerns discussed:

Overview:

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a respiratory illness that primarily affects birds. Currently many wild birds around the world and in the US are infected. It’s caused by infection with type A influenza viruses. Some virus strains are more severe than others.

Background:

Bird flu viruses that cause lots of bird illnesses and deaths in birds are called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) viruses. Most bird flu viruses only infect birds, but some bird flu can infect people. A common bird flu virus called HPAI H5N1, is highly contagious between birds, but hard for people to catch. People usually must have very close contact with infected birds to be at risk.

History of Bird Flu

“Avian influenza A (H5N1),” “bird flu,” and “H5N1 bird flu” all refer to an illness caused by influenza type A viruses, which primarily affect birds. H5N1 bird flu was first identified in geese in China in 1996 and in people in Hong Kong the following year. Almost 25 years later, in 2020, a new variant of H5N1, referred to as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), was detected in wild birds in Europe; it was first seen in birds in the U.S. and Canada in late 2021, and has since been detected in a variety of wild bird species in all 50 states.

In February 2022, the virus began causing sporadic outbreaks in backyard and commercial poultry flocks in the U.S., causing serious illness and death in infected chickens. The number of outbreaks has increased and spread over time—as of May 2024, the CDC reported poultry outbreaks in 48 states.

Who are Currently at Risk

Researchers and hunters – No one should pick up dead or sick birds and animals unless he or she is trained in handling animals.
However, anyone who does come into contact with a dead or sick bird or animal should always wear gloves and wash their hands thoroughly afterwards
Bird Feeders and bird baths – People who feed or water wild birds can both increase the risk of spreading bird flu to other birds (That gather at the feeder) and themselves by touching the feeder

Domestic Poultry Now Infected by (Wild) Bird Flu

Wild Birds as Carriers – Wild waterfowl, like ducks and geese, can carry the virus without showing symptoms.
They can then shed the virus in their droppings and secretions, contaminating environments where domestic birds are present.

Direct Contact- Infected wild birds coming into contact with domestic poultry through shared feeding areas or bodies of water can spread the virus directly.

Indirect Contact – Contaminated equipment, clothing, or feed can carry the virus to domestic bird populations.
People working with poultry can unknowingly spread the virus between flocks if proper hygiene protocols are not followed.

Scientists Now Concerned

Highly Pathogenic Strain – The current outbreak is caused by a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza virus, H5N1. This strain is particularly contagious and virulent in birds, leading to high mortality rates in infected flocks.

Unprecedented Spread – The current outbreak is unusually widespread. The virus has been detected in wild birds and domestic poultry farms across many countries and continents. This increases the chances of the virus mutating further.

Spillover to Mammals – The virus has been jumping from birds to mammals at an alarming rate. Cases have been confirmed in foxes, mink, otters, bears, and even some big cats. This raises concerns that the virus is adapting to transmit more easily among mammals, potentially including humans.

Mutation Potential- The more the virus spreads and replicates, the higher the chance of mutations. A mutation that allows the virus to transmit easily between humans could trigger a pandemic.

Sources

https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/h5n1-bird-flu-what-to-know

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services http://www.avianflu.gov

Centers for Disease Control bird flu page http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian

World Health Organization updates and further links http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_ influenza/updates/en/index.html

DISCLAMIER