Avian flu outbreak in the United States raises concerns about potential pandemic
The avian flu, known to be caused by a type A influenza virus, has been a cause for concern among scientists and experts worldwide. The recent outbreak in the United States has further fueled fears of a potential pandemic.
The avian flu, which was previously only known to affect birds, has now spread to dairy cows in the United States. This highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza has raised alarm as cases have been found on 36 dairy farms in nine states. To add to the concern, one man has also been infected with the virus, while 200 others are under observation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning urging people not to consume raw milk due to the spread of avian flu among cows. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of consuming pasteurized milk as preliminary tests have shown that pasteurization can kill the virus.
The United States Department of Agriculture has also echoed the WHO’s warning, stating that although viral RNA has been detected in raw milk, pasteurization effectively inactivates the virus. However, the Mario Negri Pharmacological Research Institute has suggested that the spread of H5N1 among cows may be more widespread than previously thought.
Despite reassurances from experts that the virus in milk samples is not capable of producing live virus, caution is still advised to prevent the H5N1 virus from causing a potential pandemic. While there is no need for avian flu psychosis, vigilance and preventative measures are essential to mitigate the risk of a widespread outbreak.