The pressure from lawmakers for a more robust response is mounting on federal agricultural and health authorities who are still working to determine how the H5N1 virus is spreading and the potential risks it poses to humans, a month after its first detection in a Texas dairy herd.
A recent analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture by a scientist from the University of Arizona presents new evidence suggesting that the initial known outbreak of H5N1 in dairy cattle extends beyond the 33 herds in eight states that have officially tested positive.
Republican U.S. Senator Mitt Romney emphasized the critical importance of containing the outbreak before it has a chance to spread to humans, stating that the federal response thus far is inadequate, especially in light of the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several lawmakers, including Romney, have been advocating for the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act, which expired last year and aims to strengthen the nation's ability to respond to pandemics and other public health emergencies. The recent spread of avian flu and the detection of H5N1 genetic material in milk have further intensified calls for action.
A farm worker in Texas is the only known human case in the current outbreak after being exposed to dairy cows and subsequently testing positive for bird flu, exhibiting symptoms such as conjunctivitis.
Dr. Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Arizona, highlighted significant genetic differences between the virus in the human case and the bird flu virus samples found in infected cattle, suggesting a widespread and longstanding epidemic.
The Texas Animal Health Commission did not disclose the farm's location or sample the herd where the infected worker had contact due to confidentiality concerns. Dr. Richard Webby, a virologist at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, emphasized that the publicly available genetic sequences may not be fully representative of the circulating virus strains.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported that one in five commercial milk samples tested nationwide contained traces of the H5N1 virus. While the agency stated that there is no current evidence suggesting a risk to human health from the virus in milk, experts like Dr. Michael Osterholm from the University of Minnesota see this as an indication of widespread infection among dairy cattle.
Osterholm suggested that increased sampling is necessary in dairy and beef cattle, as well as pigs, which can act as intermediate hosts for flu viruses that can potentially transmit to humans.
While both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization assessed the overall public health risk as low, they acknowledged a higher risk for individuals with direct exposure to infected animals.
Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin urged the USDA to promptly allocate additional resources to states that have not reported any cases to prevent the disease from entering their herds.
In response to the avian flu situation, the White House has initiated an "immediate response team" to monitor trends, ensure food safety, and mitigate the risk of virus spread. Starting soon, the USDA will require dairy cows to test negative for bird flu before interstate movement.
State-level officials in Indiana are considering implementing their own measures, such as testing within the state, even though they have not confirmed any cases. Bret Marsh, the state veterinarian, mentioned the ongoing assessment during a recent conference call.
This revised article highlights the growing concerns among lawmakers and experts regarding the spread of avian flu in dairy cattle and the necessary steps to prevent further transmission to humans. The evolving situation underscores the importance of proactive measures to safeguard public health and livestock welfare.
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