UF expert answers questions about local risk of bird flu

Consumers may have noticed the rising price of eggs and even some shortages at grocery stores lately due to H5N1 avian influenza, but as cases of human and animal infections continue to rise, how concerned should you be about the virus?

Benjamin Anderson, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions’ Department of Environmental and Global Health and lead for UF’s Emerging Pathogens Institute bird flu response team answers some questions about the risk of infection to humans and animals from bird flu and how to protect yourself.

Who is at risk?

Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk to humans is low.

“That is correct on an overall level,” Anderson said.

There is no human-to-human transmission right now. Anderson said that while there have been an “alarming” number of human cases, the number of infections is still fewer than 100. Of those, most have resulted in mild illness and were in people who had direct exposure to infected animals.

So far, there has been only one death attributed to the current outbreak of H5N1, known more commonly as bird flu – a man in Louisiana who was infected by a backyard flock.

“We do have a lot of people who keep chickens,” Anderson said. “Because of the situation in Louisiana, this has, I think, piqued the concern even more so among folks who might have backyard poultry to recognize that is a potential pathway for transmission.”

If you see a dead chicken, do not touch it or try to investigate yourself. Instead, report it to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Report dead wildlife, including migratory birds, to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Anderson said while the risk to the public is currently low, the future risk, including human-to-human transmission that could result in a pandemic, is still uncertain.

Right now, he said, “Unless you’re handling poultry or working with or near dairy cattle, where bird flu outbreaks have been ongoing, your risk is relatively low.”

Can I catch the virus from my backyard bird feeder?

Gainesville is on a major flyway for migratory birds – a draw for birdwatching enthusiasts, particularly in the winter.

This may be how bird flu has made its way into backyard flocks, since infected migratory birds shed the virus in their waste.

So far, there is no data that suggests bird feeders could pose a significant transmission risk to people, and no reported human cases of bird flu have been traced to feeders.

“However, when I say there’s no data, that means there’s no data. It hasn’t been investigated,” Anderson said.

Waterfowl such as ducks and geese are more likely to carry the virus than songbirds. But if backyard birdwatchers are concerned, he said, take precautions such as wearing gloves and disinfecting bird feeders. And whether there’s an elevated risk of bird flu or not, always take care to avoid touching bird feces, which can contain salmonella.

“Using some common sense, good hygiene practices, is going to be an effective way of protecting yourself,” he said.

Are my outdoor cats in danger?

Outdoor cats are susceptible to bird flu through exposure to dairy cattle, wild birds and contaminated raw milk. There is also new evidence of some sources of raw cat food being contaminated with H5N1.

H5N1 causes severe infection in cats, with neurological symptoms that could mimic rabies. Infected cats may be disoriented, lethargic or disinterested in food. Florida residents can contact the Florida Health Department if they notice these symptoms in their pet.

“If you see something unusual, seeking out professional care for that animal is an important thing to do,” Anderson said.

As of now, it’s unclear whether cats can transmit the virus to humans, but as it adapts, transmission to other species could become easier and more widespread.

What about eggs and poultry from the farmers market?

Florida state statutes require sellers to register as a food supplier and meet certain criteria for food handling safety. But the regulations can be unclear to some small, local egg and poultry producers, and others operate under the radar.

“I wouldn’t say that if you go to a farmers market, it’s a guarantee that the products you’re buying are produced under the proper regulations,” Anderson said, but the regulations themselves can be unclear.

Some things you can do to keep yourself safe are asking the vendor if they’re registered and permitted with the state’s agriculture agency and checking that the products are labeled. Per the statutes, eggs must be refrigerated at all times between packaging and sale to the consumer.

And definitely steer clear of raw milk, which has been tied to several human and animal H5N1 infections and always carries a risk of salmonella.

“Don’t drink it, and don’t give it to your animals,” Anderson said.

Is there a vaccine? How else can I protect myself?

There is a vaccine for bird flu.

While it isn’t currently being administered to humans in the U.S., Anderson said some agriculture workers in Europe have received it.

“There is a potential justification for starting to release some of the stock of the H5N1-specific vaccine,” but it would come with tradeoffs, he said, such as maintaining stockpiles and keeping the vaccine matched well to an evolving virus.

In his opinion, though, it makes sense to start the process now, both to protect workers who are already at higher risk of contracting the virus, and to begin collecting data on how well the vaccine is working.

The idea that the U.S. should hold off on releasing a vaccine until bird flu becomes a pandemic is contrary to protecting public health, he said, adding that the tipping point for him was seeing the virus start to show up in backyard poultry.

“That’s the rationale that I base my opinion off of,” Anderson said.