HEALTHY LIVING
Everything You Need to Know About Bird Flu
T BY LYNN C. ALLISON
he latest outbreak of bird flu, also known as avian influenza or H5N1, has sickened or killed millions of birds, chicken, cattle, and other
animals in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) says that the likelihood of it spreading to humans is low. Among the 67 cases reported since
2024, the majority involved had known exposure to animals, such as cattle and poultry.
Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., the director
The concern now is low, but if it evolves to more efficiently infect humans and evolves to enable person- to-person spread, we will have a problem.”
— Thomas Russo, M.D.
of clinical virology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, explains the virus “has not yet gained the properties it would need for eficient spread between people.” But that doesn’t mean the virus will not
mutate into a more dangerous threat. “To be clear, we need to be vigilant
regarding H5N1,” warns Thomas Russo, M.D., chief of the division of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine. “The concern now is low, but if it evolves
to more eficiently infect humans and evolves to enable person-to-person spread, we will have a problem.” While most cases of bird flu in humans
have been mild, causing conjunctivitis and upper respiratory disease, experts caution that this could change if the virus mutates to target different cell receptors.
PROTECT YOURSELF, FAMILY, AND PETS The two groups of people most at risk of catching bird flu are farm employees who work with cows or poultry and those who keep backyard flocks of chickens, according to Russo. People who work in potentially
infectious environments, such as on a farm or rescue setting, should wear personal protective equipment (PPE), notes the CDC. That includes goggles, disposable gloves, face masks, coveralls, and rubber boots.
Risk to humans is low: Here’s how to make sure you stay safe. :: Several domestic cats have died after
contracting the H5N1 bird flu from raw food or unpasteurized milk. Eating uncooked pet food not only increases the risk of bird flu in mammals but also puts them at risk for illness from other pathogens, such as salmonella and listeria. Keep cats away from sick or dead birds when outdoors. Experts say that consuming eggs, milk,
and poultry is safe if you follow proper food preparation and hygiene rules. Eggs. They are scarce in supermarkets
and expensive because millions of egg- laying hens have been culled because of the H5N1 virus. You can safely buy and prepare eggs,
notes Jana Shaw, M.D., professor of pediatrics, public health, and preventive medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse, New York. “Eggs from infected poultry are unlikely
to make it to the store, and proper storage and cooking significantly reduce any risk.” Keep eggs refrigerated and when
cooking, make sure both the yolk and white are firm, not runny. Milk. The highest risk of contracting
bird flu for most people is through contaminated dairy products. That’s because cows can pass the virus through their milk. Pasteurized milk is safe to drink
because the pasteurization process kills harmful germs, including bird flu. Raw milk should be avoided. Poultry. Use a food thermometer and
always cook to 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill potential germs. Keeping raw and cooked foods separate will help prevent cross-contamination. Hygiene. Washing hands, tools, and
surfaces after handling raw foods is crucial. “By taking these precautions, you
can safely enjoy eggs, milk, and poultry without worry,” says Shaw. “There is no proof that bird flu spreads through properly cooked food.”
84 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | APRIL 2025
BYMURATDENIZ©ISTOCK
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