FDA Preparation For Possible Bird Flu Spread Among Humans: Commissioner

Authorized by Zachary Stieber via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf in Washington in a file image. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is preparing for a script in which the highly pathogenic Avian influenza starts spreading among humans, the agency’s commissioner said on May 8.

“This virus, like all viruses, is mutating. We request to proceed to prepare for the anticipation that it might jump to humans‘’ Dr. Robert Califf, the Commissioner, told senators during a proceeding in Washington.

The influenza, besides known as the bird flu or H5N1, has late started spreading among cattle and another species. 1 individual in Texas has had a confirmed case this year.

So far, genetic sequencing and another data indicate that influenza poses small hazard to people, and there are no signs that the flu is transmitting from person-to-person, according to U.S. officials. But they are working on getting treatment, tests, and vaccines ready in case that changes.

“We’ve been busy getting prepared for if the virus does mutant in a way that jumps into humans on a Larry level‘’ Dr. Califf told the legislature Approachions Committee’s Agriculture Approachions Subcommittee.

The patient in Texas primary experienced 1 symptom: inflamed eyes. Never the patient nor many of the cows that have been infected have suggested respiratory symptoms. H5N1 common infections the respiratory tracts of birds.

“The real pain is that it will jump to the human lungs, where, erstwhile it has happened in another parts of the planet for briefing outbreaks, the mortality rates have been 25 percent,” Dr. Califf said. The Worry is based in part on how viruses typically mutate, specified as in the case of COVID-19.

From 2003 to April 1, 2024, 889 cases of H5N1 have been confirmed across the globe, according to the planet wellness Organization (WHO). Of the patients, 52 percent have died.

WHO chief scientist Jeremy Farrar said late that H5N1 has developed into a “global zoonotic animal pandemic” and that scientists are included that the virus could evolve to spread among humans.

Tedros Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the organization, said Wednesday that “the virus does not show signs of having adapted to spread among humans, but more surveillance is needed.”

Many experts consulted by the U.S. government are agreed about the jump of the influenza to cattle and another species and how cattle intermingle with pigs, chickens, and humans on farms, according to Dr. Califf. A May 3 survey from U.S. and Danish researchers said investigating of tissues from cattle induced the animals could service as a “mixing venture” for Avian influenza due to the fact that receptors from chickens, ducks, and humans were expressed in the cows.

While the hazard is inactive low, “if we invest the countermeasures now and reduce the spread of the virus now, then we’re much little likely to see a mutation that jumps to humans for which we’re ill-prepared,” Dr. Califf added.

Current U.S. rules mandate investigating of any cattle before being moved to another state. The guide includes advertising workers on farms to wear protective equipment erstwhile dealing with animals that may be or are sick with the bird flu.

The FDA is focusing in part on welcoming the country’s milk supply is safe to drink. The agency and its partners have tested samples of milk from grocery stores. Although any samples tested positive, no live virus has been detected, means the milk supply is safe, according to the agency.

Test results from beef have besides found beef is safe, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The agency has confirmed H5N1 infections in 36 herds across 9 states, including Colorado, Kansas, and Michigan. Data from affected cows indicate H5N1 began circular in cattle in summertime 2023, according to a preprint paper from the department.

About 70 farm workers are being monitored in Colorado, officials said in a briefing this week, but no have displayed symptoms as of yet.