WHO Urges Countries to Implement Infection Control Measures
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized the importance of implementing infection control measures to reduce human exposure to bird flu and other animal influenza viruses.
Public Health Risk Assessment
The WHO stated that the current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low. However, countries are advised to remain vigilant for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Precautionary Measures
- Countries should implement infection control measures and procedures to reduce human exposure to infected birds and mammals.
- The WHO strongly recommended consuming only pasteurized milk as a precautionary measure.
Concerns About Milk Transmission
The WHO highlighted concerns about the detection of the virus in milk and its potential role in transmission. Investigations are ongoing to understand this aspect further.
Bird Flu Spread in US Dairy Cattle
Recent reports indicated the spread of bird flu in dairy cattle across several states in the United States.
State Detection
Colorado is the latest state to detect bird flu in dairy cattle, following previous reports in Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, Idaho, New Mexico, North Carolina, and South Dakota.
Containment Efforts
Federal lawmakers have urged the Joe Biden administration to take further steps to contain the spread of the virus, especially after tests revealed remnants of bird flu in one in five US commercial milk samples.
Assurance on Pasteurized Milk
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reassured the public that there is no known risk to human health from the virus found in milk. Pasteurized milk available in stores is considered safe from the virus.
Regulatory Measures
Starting from April 28, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will mandate dairy cows to test negative for bird flu before they can be moved across state lines.