Experts Watching Bird Flu Carefully in Case It Takes Off
May 14, 2024 – So far, the unexpected transmission of bird flu to cattle hasn’t led to a new human flu pandemic. Although a dairy worker contracted pink eye this year from the virus, a broader threat to the general population has not yet emerged.
However, experts are closely monitoring the situation.
WebMD & CDC Live Briefing on Bird Flu
2024 Bird Flu Outbreak — What You Need to Know
Join WebMD and federal health experts for a live briefing on the potential dangers of bird flu. The session will be available on WebMD.com from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 16.
“The current risk to the public from this infection is very low,” said Maximo Brito, MD, MPH, a professor of medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. “The CDC is monitoring for unusual flu activity in doctors’ offices and emergency rooms, and so far, no significant issues have been identified.”
Tina Tan, MD, a professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, echoed this assessment during a news briefing hosted by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). “Just don’t kiss or hug the animals,” she advised, affirming that the risk to the U.S. population from bird flu remains low at this time.
The H5N1 virus, responsible for bird flu, has been circulating in cattle since December 2023. The transmission of the virus from wild birds to cows was unexpected, according to Maximo Brito, MD, MPH, an IDSA fellow.
How Safe Are Milk, Eggs, and Beef?
The FDA has tested retail milk and detected traces of the virus in some samples. However, further testing confirmed that pasteurization—the heating process most milk undergoes before being sold—effectively deactivates the virus.
“Therefore, the FDA considers the U.S. milk supply to be safe,” Brito stated during a briefing on May 9.
However, consuming raw or unpasteurized milk poses greater risks. “It’s crucial to inform the public to avoid drinking unpasteurized or raw milk, which is milk straight from the cow without processing,” Brito emphasized. “There are other diseases, not just influenza, that can be transmitted through unpasteurized milk.”
Officials also caution against touching surfaces that might be contaminated with raw milk or the saliva, mucus, or feces of potentially infected animals. In areas where bird flu or sick birds are present, it’s important to cook poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165°F and to avoid consuming raw eggs. Properly cooking beef also prevents the transmission of infections.
“To date, the virus has not been found in beef,” Brito noted.
OK for Now?
The H5N1 virus has the potential to evolve and more easily infect humans, but for now, that remains speculative, according to Maximo Brito, MD, MPH. The current variant circulating among cattle is not highly effective at causing disease in humans. However, genetic shifts in viruses have occurred before, so there is always a concern. Brito pointed out that if H5N1 were to spread to pigs, it could be more worrisome, as pigs have viral receptors more similar to those in humans.
If the virus does make the jump to humans, children could be at higher risk. “Kids are different from adults; they’re much more likely to hug and kiss animals,” said Tina Tan, MD, president-elect of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). She noted that some elementary schools have chickens and ducks as pets, and some families keep chickens at home. “Kids also drink a lot of milk, including some who consume unpasteurized raw milk,” she added.
At the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, where Tan works, preparations are in place in case H5N1 begins to cause significant infections in children. “We’re ready to treat it much like pandemic influenza, with protocols that can be adjusted for H5N1 if necessary,” Tan said.
Brito added, “While we haven’t implemented any specific emergency protocols yet, we’re constantly monitoring the situation closely.”
