https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-in...says-avian-flu-may-infect-gut-though-risk-low
CDC says avian flu may infect the gut, though risk is low
Lisa Schnirring
52 minutes ago.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Given ongoing detections of H5N1 avian flu in poultry, dairy cows, and wildlife, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday addressed the potential for the threat of contracting the virus by eating or drinking potentially contaminated food or beverages, such as raw milk, saying the risk is low but possible.
Over the past 2 years, a few H5N1 human illnesses have been reported with unexplained sources, and some cat illnesses and deaths have been linked to consuming contaminated raw food and raw milk. The assessment comes as H5N1 continues to circulate in birds and mammals in the United States.
CDC recommends avoiding raw milk, related products
The CDC said no human H5N1 infections have been linked to consuming contaminated raw (unpasteurized) cow's milk or products made with raw cow's milk.
Based on its review of the medical literature, the agency said seasonal and novel influenza A viruses have the potential to cause infection through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. CDC scientists examined scientific reports of how often people infected with seasonal or novel influenza A infections experience GI symptoms and lab studies of live animals, such as dogs and cats, that became infected with H5N1 after eating or drinking contaminated products.
The CDC experts said overall the studies show that influenza A may infect mammals through nonrespiratory routes. Though consuming H5N1-contaminated food or milk can lead to infections in animals, there are limitations to translating the findings to people.
Make the best decision for your health and the health of your family by always choosing pasteurized milk and products made with it.
In people, clinical findings and detections in feces show the potential for both seasonal and novel influenza A to cause GI symptoms. Also, the CDC said studies show that different influenza A subtypes are able to multiply in human GI tissues in lab settings, suggesting that infection in the human GI tract is possible.
More studies are needed, and for now, it's not known if influenza A can be transmitted to people through raw milk or related products. However, the CDC said people should avoid drinking raw milk or eating products made with raw milk.
The CDC also urged people to cook poultry, eggs, and beef to the appropriate internal temperature to kill bacteria and viruses, including avian flu viruses. "Make the best decision for your health and the health of your family by always choosing pasteurized milk and products made with it."
Global group grapples with escalating threat
In related developments, a multisector group made up of experts in poultry, public health, science, and policy is meeting for the first time this week in Brazil to address the escalating avian flu threat to animal health, human health, and livelihoods, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization said today. The group called the response unprecedented.
Avian flu is now a global challenge, not a sporadic threat, Beth Bechdol, MS, the FAO's deputy director-general, said in a statement, "No single country or sector can tackle this threat in isolation—and failure is not an option. Practical, science-based collaboration like this is essential to protect our agrifood systems, livelihoods, and public health."
No single country or sector can tackle this threat in isolation.
The FAO said the focus of the 3-day meeting is to identify effective prevention and control studies, especially in low-income and backyard-poultry settings, as well as promoting early warning systems, effective vaccination strategies, and biosecurity measures. Other goals are enhancing multisectoral coordination based on a One Health approach and sharing innovations, diagnostic solutions, surveillance, and outbreak response.
CDC says avian flu may infect the gut, though risk is low
Lisa Schnirring
52 minutes ago.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Given ongoing detections of H5N1 avian flu in poultry, dairy cows, and wildlife, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday addressed the potential for the threat of contracting the virus by eating or drinking potentially contaminated food or beverages, such as raw milk, saying the risk is low but possible.
Over the past 2 years, a few H5N1 human illnesses have been reported with unexplained sources, and some cat illnesses and deaths have been linked to consuming contaminated raw food and raw milk. The assessment comes as H5N1 continues to circulate in birds and mammals in the United States.
CDC recommends avoiding raw milk, related products
The CDC said no human H5N1 infections have been linked to consuming contaminated raw (unpasteurized) cow's milk or products made with raw cow's milk.
Based on its review of the medical literature, the agency said seasonal and novel influenza A viruses have the potential to cause infection through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. CDC scientists examined scientific reports of how often people infected with seasonal or novel influenza A infections experience GI symptoms and lab studies of live animals, such as dogs and cats, that became infected with H5N1 after eating or drinking contaminated products.
The CDC experts said overall the studies show that influenza A may infect mammals through nonrespiratory routes. Though consuming H5N1-contaminated food or milk can lead to infections in animals, there are limitations to translating the findings to people.
Make the best decision for your health and the health of your family by always choosing pasteurized milk and products made with it.
In people, clinical findings and detections in feces show the potential for both seasonal and novel influenza A to cause GI symptoms. Also, the CDC said studies show that different influenza A subtypes are able to multiply in human GI tissues in lab settings, suggesting that infection in the human GI tract is possible.
More studies are needed, and for now, it's not known if influenza A can be transmitted to people through raw milk or related products. However, the CDC said people should avoid drinking raw milk or eating products made with raw milk.
The CDC also urged people to cook poultry, eggs, and beef to the appropriate internal temperature to kill bacteria and viruses, including avian flu viruses. "Make the best decision for your health and the health of your family by always choosing pasteurized milk and products made with it."
Global group grapples with escalating threat
In related developments, a multisector group made up of experts in poultry, public health, science, and policy is meeting for the first time this week in Brazil to address the escalating avian flu threat to animal health, human health, and livelihoods, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization said today. The group called the response unprecedented.
Avian flu is now a global challenge, not a sporadic threat, Beth Bechdol, MS, the FAO's deputy director-general, said in a statement, "No single country or sector can tackle this threat in isolation—and failure is not an option. Practical, science-based collaboration like this is essential to protect our agrifood systems, livelihoods, and public health."
No single country or sector can tackle this threat in isolation.
The FAO said the focus of the 3-day meeting is to identify effective prevention and control studies, especially in low-income and backyard-poultry settings, as well as promoting early warning systems, effective vaccination strategies, and biosecurity measures. Other goals are enhancing multisectoral coordination based on a One Health approach and sharing innovations, diagnostic solutions, surveillance, and outbreak response.