2024-05-01 14:16:19
Based on the information available to dateOMS considers the overall public health risk posed by the A(H5N1) virus to be “low”.
At the same time, the risk of infection is considered “low to moderate” for people who are exposed to infected birds or animals or contaminated environments.
Since the virus is carried around the world by migratory birds, there is certainly a risk of infection of cows in other countries, says the WHO.
Ongoing investigations
As the virus is particularly carried by migratory birds, “there is certainly a risk that cows in other countries will be infected,” said Wenqing Zhang, head of WHO’s global influenza program. For now, she believes the original infection came from birds, but in the US they are still trying to determine whether or not there was cow-to-cow transmission.
Investigations are underway to determine the extent and severity of the H5N1 bird flu that has been detected in around thirty flocks in eight US states since March.
“Although much is still being investigated, this suggests that the virus may have found… other transmission routes than those we know so far,” Wenqing Zhang said at a press conference in Geneva.
While this may seem worrying, “it is also a testament to the effectiveness of disease surveillance that allows us to detect the virus”.
Monitor and evaluate
“As WHO and partners carefully monitor, assess, evaluate and update the risks associated with H5N1 and other avian influenza viruses, we urge countries to remain vigilant, to promptly report human infections, where appropriate, to rapidly share sequences and other data, and to strengthen biosecurity measures on farms, the WHO official said.
For the WHO, it is therefore important to emphasize that the bird flu virus is evolving, as are the risks associated with the virus. “So it’s very important to follow it closely.” To do this, it is a matter of “monitoring and evaluating the spread and evolution of the virus, and updating the responses”.
An outbreak of bird flu has been spreading for several weeks in dairy herds in the United States, the only one affected at the moment. Media reports indicate that a person who worked on an affected dairy farm was infected but had only mild symptoms.
Pasteurized milk sold in stores is “safe”
The WHO reports that the H5N1 avian influenza virus of the particular clade (2.3.4.4b) currently infecting cows in the United States first appeared in 2020 (the first H5N1 virus appeared in 1996).
Based on available studies conducted in the United States, virus fragments found in pasteurized milk are not infectious, the WHO said, noting that ongoing sampling suggests that raw milk from infected cows may contain live virus, which might pose a threat, especially to agricultural workers.
“The fact that this has been discovered, that we are being informed of a single case somewhere on a farm, this shows that surveillance is working,” rejoiced Christian Lindmeier, WHO spokesperson. He confirmed the conclusions of the US authorities, who believe that milk sold in stores is “safe” and that pasteurization kills the virus found in milk.
Avoid contact with animals
In this fight, as agricultural workers are professionally exposed to these zoonotic viruses, WHO prioritizes their protection.
“As far as the general public is concerned, as I said, the risk is currently considered low,” Zhang insisted.
Consumption of raw or incompletely cooked meat, eggs or milk is not recommended
As for consuming pasteurized milk, it should be safe to consume at this stage.
In addition, residents and travelers to areas where outbreaks of bird flu have been found in animals should avoid contact with animals on farms and markets with live animals.
They must refrain from entering areas where animals are likely to be slaughtered, but also from any contact with surfaces apparently contaminated by animal excrement.
Consumption of raw or incompletely cooked meat, eggs or milk is also not recommended.
Almost daily updates from the US
More generally, the WHO recommends that states strengthen disease surveillance in animals and humans and quickly share information and data on genetic sequences.
“Surveillance is working,” argued Dr. Wenqing Zhang, adding that WHO receives information and updates “almost daily” from the US centers with which WHO collaborates.
Wang stressed that serological studies are underway “but may take time”. These data obtained from genetic sequencing “are available, some have been made available very early”, she detailed, noting that “the genetic sequencing data from the human case was immediately made available”.
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