Quotes
Although concerning, and a reminder that A(H5N1) viruses can develop changes during the clinical course of a human infection, these changes would be more concerning if found in animal hosts or in early stages of infection (e.g., within a few days of symptom onset) when these changes might be more likely to facilitate spread to close contacts,
the CDC scientists write in the report
There are still just reams of data from this current administration that haven't been released,
he told the Washington Post on Monday
The worry is, the more you let this sort of run wild... the more chances you have for this sort of mutation to not only occur, but to then get out and infect someone else, then you start a chain reaction,
she told AFP
No person-to-person transmission spread has been identified… However, people with job-related or recreational exposures to infected birds or other animals are at greater risk of infection,
it noted
We have already prepared nearly 5 million doses of vaccine so they're ready if we need them,
they wrote
Just because we have seen mild cases does not mean future cases will continue to be mild,
she added
We are concerned, of course, but we look at the risk to the general population and ... it still remains low,
WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris told reporters at a Geneva press briefing in response to questions about the risks of the virus
They are doing a lot of surveillance. That's why we're hearing about it."
Asked whether U.S. monitoring of the virus was sufficient, she saidWhile tragic, a death from H5N1 bird flu in the United States is not unexpected because of the known potential for infection with these viruses to cause severe illness and death,
the CDC said in a statement
We have a lot of data that shows that this virus can be lethal, more lethal than many viruses we worry about,
Jennifer Nuzzo, a professor of epidemiology at Brown University, told AFPThis is a nasty virus that no one wants to get,
she saidFor that reason, people have been quite alarmed about these outbreaks that have been occurring on farms and other places in the US and have really been shouting for the US government to do more,
she saidThe Louisiana Department of Health reports the patient who had been hospitalized with the first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1, in Louisiana and the US has died."
In a statement, Louisiana's Department of Health said
While the risk to humans remains low, we are always preparing for any possible scenario that could arise,
Health Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement announcing the funding on FridayIf you have been exposed to sick or dead birds or other animals or work on a farm where avian influenza has been detected, watch for respiratory symptoms or conjunctivitis,
the Louisiana Health Department warned MondayStay home and away from others while you have symptoms."
it said to alert medical providers to the possibility of bird flu exposure, addingThe evolution of the virus is concerning but highlights how we need to prevent each possible spillover infection to reduce the risk of onward transmission to others,
said Dr. Seema Lakdawala, a microbiologist and immunologist who studies influenza transmission at the Emory University School of Medicine
Additionally, there are no concerning virologic changes actively spreading in wild birds, poultry, or cows that would raise the risk to human health,
the statement saidCDC has carefully studied the available information about the person who died in Louisiana and continues to assess that the risk to the general public remains low. Most importantly, no person-to-person transmission spread has been identified,
according to the statementThe changes observed were likely generated by replication of this virus in the patient with advanced disease rather than primarily transmitted at the time of infection,
noted the CDC