Introduction
The avian flu, also known as bird flu, is a highly contagious virus that can spread quickly among birds and other animals. It is a serious public health concern, as it can cause severe illness and even death in humans. In recent years, the most deadly strain of bird flu, H5N1, has been spreading across the world, and now it has arrived in the United States. This is a cause for concern, as the virus can be spread through contact with infected birds or their droppings, as well as through contact with contaminated surfaces. In order to protect yourself and your family from the virus, it is important to take the necessary precautions. This article will provide information on how to stay safe from the bird flu, including what foods to avoid and how to properly clean and disinfect surfaces.
The Deadliest Bird Flu Outbreak in History is Now in America. Here’s How to Stay Safe.
The H5N1 bird flu virus, also known as avian influenza, is a highly contagious virus that has been responsible for the deaths of millions of birds and hundreds of humans since it first appeared in 1996. In recent weeks, the virus has been detected in the United States, making it the deadliest bird flu outbreak in history. While the risk of human-to-human transmission is low, it is important to take precautions to protect yourself and your family.
What is Bird Flu?
Bird flu is a type of influenza virus that is primarily found in birds, but can also infect humans. It is highly contagious and can spread quickly among birds, leading to large-scale outbreaks. The virus can cause severe respiratory illness in humans, and in some cases, death.
How to Protect Yourself from Bird Flu
The best way to protect yourself from bird flu is to avoid contact with birds and their droppings. If you must handle birds, wear protective clothing and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. It is also important to cook poultry and eggs thoroughly to kill any potential virus.
Eat This Not That
When it comes to protecting yourself from bird flu, it is important to make smart food choices. Avoid eating raw or undercooked poultry, eggs, and other bird products. Instead, opt for cooked poultry, eggs, and other bird products that have been cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. Additionally, avoid eating wild birds or their eggs, as they may be infected with the virus.
Conclusion
The H5N1 bird flu virus is a serious threat to both birds and humans. While the risk of human-to-human transmission is low, it is important to take precautions to protect yourself and your family. Avoid contact with birds and their droppings, wear protective clothing when handling birds, and cook poultry and eggs thoroughly. Additionally, make smart food choices and avoid eating raw or undercooked poultry, eggs, and other bird products.
More than 52.7 animals have died or been culled as a result of HPAI bird flu, which has spread to 46 states since February of this year, wreaking havoc on farm flocks. “I’m hopeful that this is not the new normal for us,” says Richard Webby, director of the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals. Here is what’s happening, and how to stay safe from bird flu. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
The outbreak is being spread by wild birds, and impacting farmed poultry. “We don’t know exactly what it is about it, but it does seem just to be able to grow and transmit better in wild birds,” Webby says. “Wild birds are the perfect mechanism to spread a virus because they, of course, fly everywhere.”
Farmers have been forced to cull chickens, turkeys and eggs in order to prevent the virus from spreading further. Ducks also carry avian influenza, but often with no symptoms. “Wild birds can carry HPAI A(H5) viruses without showing symptoms, but these viruses can cause illness and death in domestic poultry,” says the CDC.
Poultry raised to lay eggs are more susceptible to the virus than those raised for meat, experts say. “For whatever reason, turkeys and layer birds tend to be more susceptible to the virus,” says Amy Hagerman, assistant professor at Oklahoma State University. “The chicken that most people think of, their chicken tenders, their chicken sandwiches, all of those things haven’t tended to have the same kinds of impact.”
Experts say a vaccine is not practical, and it’s best to let the virus become endemic. “One of the big complications is timing on a vaccine,” Hagerman says. “Generally you need two doses of a vaccine and then a length of time to achieve full effectiveness. If you have a bird that has a very short feeding window before it’s ready for harvest, that can be a lot more challenging because you also need to allow the withdrawal period after the vaccine before the bird is harvested.”
It’s fine to eat poultry and eggs if they are cooked to the correct temperature, experts say. “As a reminder, it is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry in the United States,” says the CDC. “The proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses, including HPAI A(H5) viruses.”
Ferozan Mast