Bird Flu Updates: Pandemic Risks, CDC’s Safety Guidance, and How to Protect Your Pet from Bird Flu (Dec 27, 2024)

Hi 👋 

Here's your latest bird flu news roundup, with new topics based on recent developments.

You can also check out live situation dashboard at birdfluwatcher.com

Table of Contents

• Latest News

  • Virus Mutation & Transmission Risks

  • Zoonotic Spillover & Pandemic Potential

  • CDC’s Safety Guidance

    • Recommendations for the Public:

    • Recommendations for other groups:

  • How to Protect Your Pet from Bird Flu

    • For pet birds:

    • For other pets:

Latest News

Virus Mutation & Transmission Risks 

The virus in the first severe human H5N1 case in the US shows mutations that could increase transmissibility to humans, according to CDC analysis. Experts worry the spread is reaching a boiling point.

Sources: Newsweek, CDC, Science.org

Zoonotic Spillover & Pandemic Potential 

As H5N1 spreads to humans, there are heightened concerns about zoonotic spillover and the next potential pandemic. Researchers are studying virus evolution in birds to assess risks. 

Sources: CNN

CDC’s Safety Guidance 

CDC considers the current risk to the U.S. public from HPAI A(H5N1) viruses to be low, but people with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals, or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at greater risk of infection.

Recommendations for the Public:

• Avoid exposure to sick or dead animals. If unable to avoid, use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when in direct or close contact with sick/dead animals, animal feces, litter, or contaminated materials.

• Cook poultry, eggs, and beef to safe internal temperatures. Choose pasteurized milk and dairy products.

• Monitor for respiratory illness symptoms for 10 days after exposure to HPAI A(H5N1)-infected animals. Seek prompt medical evaluation if symptoms develop.

Recommendations for other groups:

• Workers with known close contact to infected animals: Use proper PPE, monitor for symptoms, and consider antiviral chemoprophylaxis if unprotected exposure occurred.

• Clinicians: Consider HPAI A(H5N1) in patients with relevant exposure history and respiratory illness, collect specimens, provide empiric antiviral treatment.

• State health departments: Investigate suspected human cases, notify CDC, collaborate with agriculture/wildlife agencies.

• Exposed persons: Monitor for symptoms, get tested if symptomatic, isolate if infected.

• Close contacts of infected persons: Receive antiviral chemoprophylaxis.

Sources: CDC

How to Protect Your Pet from Bird Flu 

While human-to-pet transmission is rare, pets including cats and dogs can become infected if they come into close contact with infected birds or consume raw meat from infected poultry.

To reduce the risk of bird flu transmission to pets, the AVMA recommends:

For pet birds:

• Keep them indoors or in fully enclosed areas away from wild birds

• Wash hands before/after handling birds and when moving between coops

• Secure feed, water, and supplies from wild birds and rodents

• Prevent visitors from contacting your flock and avoid visiting other bird areas

• Know the signs of bird flu and report any suspected infections

For other pets:

• Keep cats indoors

• Keep outdoor pets away from wild birds, poultry, and their environments

• Prevent pets from eating dead birds or other animals

• Avoid feeding raw meat, poultry, or unpasteurized milk

Currently, there is no vaccine available for animals in the U.S. to protect against bird flu.

Sources: Newsweek

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to track this rapidly evolving situation.

Stay safe!

Jennifer