By Stephen Smoot
In the poultry industry and the field of animal health care experts, new strains of H5N1 avian flu continue to cause worry for poultry and other animals. The risk for humans, however, remains low.
To continue to protect flocks nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control states that it has teamed up with the United States Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, state public health and animal health officials, and other partners.
The CDC refers to the plan of action as the “One Health Approach.” That refers to emphasizing the close connections that link the human, the plant, and the animal environment. It also places focus on the expansion of human dominated areas into traditionally more natural habitats, as well as the impacts created.
Globalization has made the United States ecosystem a virtual neighbor of areas thousands of miles away. Despite the best efforts of border control agencies and others, invasive species from plants and larger animals to destructive fishes and insects continually enter the country. Diseases can come from abroad as well. A few have added benefit, but most bring harm.
Fortunately, the risk to the public, according to the CDC “remains low.”
The CDC has identified 70 people since April of 2024 who have contracted the illness. In each identified case, the disease was contracted from wildlife.
This strain of avian flu has not been seen to have moved from human to human. With the evolution of viruses and their capabilities often taking place quickly, the CDC has remained observant while preparing for more dangerous scenarios to emerge.
Those who are at increased risk, should the virus evolve, include farmers and other workers exposed to infected animals or byproducts, owners of backyard flocks, professionals and workers in the animal health care fields, and responders to animal health events.
Meanwhile, the CDC will continue to closely monitor important aspects of the ongoing event. These include the ways in which the virus transmits, the severity of the illness, especially as experienced by humans, the geographic spread of the virus and patterns of spread, and also how the virus itself continues to evolve and change.
Earlier this year, West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt ordered the suspension of poultry related shows and exhibitions.
“We’re just going to keep evaluating things as we go along, and our primary goal is to protect the poultry industry, whether it be private, commercial, or backyard flocks,” Leonhardt told West Virginia Metro News.