By Jan Engoren
While the bird flu is making headlines, South Florida experts say the average person doesn’t have to worry about catching it.
H5N1, a highly pathogenic avian influenza, mostly affects birds, but when a human is infected, the virus has the potential to cause severe illness or death.
However, Leslie Diaz, an infectious disease specialist and chair of Infection Control at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, says “this virus is specific to birds and is a low risk to humans.”
The transmission of the virus to humans is exceedingly rare. Most human cases have been linked to direct contact with infected poultry, rather than through casual community transmission.
Diaz emphasizes that everyday precautions, such as good hygiene and avoiding contact with sick birds, are generally sufficient for the public.
Those most at risk of contracting the virus, she says, are workers who handle chickens or other birds. Those workers should take precautionary measures such as wearing masks and goggles.
As of last month, there were 70 confirmed human cases of H5N1 bird flu (none in Florida) and one death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There was no known person-to-person spread.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as of late February more than 970 cases of H5N1 had been confirmed in U.S. cattle, and the virus had been detected in more than 80 commercial poultry flocks, affecting nearly 19 million birds.
The CDC recommends the following precautions:
• Avoid direct contact with wild birds and other animals infected with the avian influenza-A viruses.
• Avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry and other animals.
• Wear personal protective equipment if you come in direct contact with infected birds.
• Be aware that wild birds can be infected with avian influenza-A viruses even if they don’t look sick.
• Do not touch or consume raw milk or raw milk products, especially from animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza-A virus infection.
Diaz says she is more worried about people contracting the regular flu or the measles virus (rubeola) and suggests they wash their hands regularly, avoid crowds and wear masks if they are at risk, such as by having a weak immune system.
Measles, an extremely contagious disease, has been on the rise since 2024, with a total of 483 confirmed cases reported this year through March 27 in 20 states including Florida, according to the CDC. It says 97% of the cases are diagnosed in unvaccinated people or people whose vaccination status is unknown.
There has been one confirmed death in Texas of an unvaccinated child from measles and another under investigation in New Mexico.
Measles was once considered eliminated in the U.S., but the number of cases of this airborne virus is on the rise because of lax vaccination compliance.
Before this outbreak started, there were only 59 reported cases of measles in the U.S. in 2023.
Similar to the adage of “location, location, location” as the best way to sell real estate, Diaz says “vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate” is the best way to prevent infectious diseases such as measles and the flu.
“Vaccinations are the best weapon we have to prevent the flu and other infectious diseases,” she says. “These are highly contagious viruses, and you can contract one through exposure to only a few particles or droplets.”
She especially advises people 65 years or older, or those with underlying conditions such as heart or lung issues, to stay on top of annual vaccine protocols and take additional precautions such as masking and avoiding crowds.
Diaz notes that even a healthy person may contract a virus and transmit it to an elderly relative.
If you have school-age children, Diaz says to make sure they receive their measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
And for the flu, she recommends an annual shot for most adults with or without underlying conditions.
“It’s never too late to vaccinate for the flu,” she advises. “Even in April, the flu is still circulating.
“Even if you didn’t get vaccinated this past winter, it’s not too late,” Diaz says. “If you haven’t gotten your shot, you can still get it now, even into the summer.”
Visit cdc.gov for more data.
Jan Engoren writes about health and healthy living. Send column ideas to jengoren@hotmail.com.
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