Federal Experts Talk Bird Flu ‘What Ifs’ in WebMD Live Event
May 16, 2024 – Multiple U.S. agencies are actively working to contain the recent bird flu outbreak among cattle, aiming to prevent further transmission to humans—beyond the one case reported in early April—and applying lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to safeguard farm workers and the general public.
Ideally, the bird flu outbreak will be contained and gradually subside. However, there is a possibility that it could continue to spread among dairy cattle and other livestock, posing risks to the health and livelihoods of farmers and others in the agricultural sector.
An even more concerning scenario would be if the virus mutates, making it easier to infect and spread among humans. In the worst-case scenario, this could lead to a new influenza pandemic.
Given the many uncertainties, WebMD convened experts from four federal agencies to discuss prevention, monitoring, and the potential “what ifs” of bird flu.
Communicating with the public about what is known, what remains uncertain, and how families can stay safe is a top priority, emphasized Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD, the CDC’s principal deputy director. “We at the federal level are responding, and we want the public to stay informed.”
Shah encouraged people to regularly check the websites of the CDC, FDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) for updates.
“It’s crucial not only to stay informed but to rely on trusted sources of information,” Shah said during the online briefing, “Bird Flu 2024 – What You Need to Know,” jointly sponsored by the CDC and WebMD.
The retail milk supply is considered safe, though consuming raw or unpasteurized milk is discouraged. “While the commercial milk supply is safe, we strongly advise against drinking raw milk,” said Donald A. Prater, DVM, the acting director for the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
Regarding other foods, thoroughly cooked eggs are safer than raw ones, and the nation’s beef supply remains unaffected by the virus.
Federal inspectors have been testing meat from retail stores for years, according to Eric Deeble, DVM, USDA deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Congressional Relations. So far, the H5N1 virus, responsible for bird flu, has not been detected in beef.
The USDA recently took testing a step further by cooking ground beef from dairy cows in their lab. Using what Deeble referred to as an “experimental hamburger,” they demonstrated that cooking beef to 165°F or higher effectively kills the virus if it ever becomes a concern.
The federal government now mandates that all cattle be tested and free of the bird flu virus before crossing state lines. Additionally, the government is compensating farmers for veterinary care and business losses related to the outbreak, while also providing personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, masks, and face shields to workers.
When asked if the seasonal flu shot offers any protection against bird flu, Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD, the CDC’s principal deputy director, explained, “Unfortunately, the flu shot you got last year does not provide great protection from avian flu. It might offer a little protection, but it’s designed for seasonal flu, which is different from this novel virus.”
**Treatments Stockpiled and Ready**
Antiviral medications, which can reduce the severity or duration of bird flu infection if administered early, are already available, Shah noted. For example, the dairy farmer who contracted bird flu earlier this year responded well to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) treatment.
Regarding symptoms, Shah mentioned that the one confirmed case this year presented with pink eye (conjunctivitis), which is unusual, as officials would have expected more typical seasonal flu symptoms.
Boucher highlighted that “influenza is not a new virus” and pointed out that with this strain of influenza, there are no genetic markers indicating resistance to antivirals. This means the antivirals used for seasonal flu, like Tamiflu, would also be effective against H5N1 if needed.
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has stockpiled Tamiflu and three other antivirals, with “tens of millions of courses” ready for distribution nationwide if necessary. “Influenza is an enemy we know well,” Boucher said, which is why “we have antivirals ready to go now and many types of PPE” available.
Science in Action
Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD, added, “As with any outbreak, this is an evolving situation, and things can change. What you’re witnessing now is science in action.”
For the most up-to-date information on bird flu in the United States, visit the CDC’s H5N1 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary website.
