Stay fowl markets in New York Metropolis and surrounding counties have been shut down with the invention of the H5N1 fowl flu virus.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways
The invention of the H5N1 fowl flu virus has led to the closure of reside fowl markets in New York Metropolis and surrounding areas, elevating considerations about its unfold.
Hackensack Meridian Well being (HMH) is actively monitoring the state of affairs through the use of superior sequencing to detect and observe the virus in sufferers with unexplained influenza signs.
Whereas fowl flu is widespread amongst wild birds and livestock, human infections stay uncommon, although at the very least one deadly case has been reported within the US.
Along with the priority on the unfold of the seasonal flu, there’s rising concern about an avian flu spreading amongst wildlife within the New York Metropolis space, and all over the world.
Paying homage to the preliminary COVID outbreak, concern escalated this week, when reside fowl markets in New York Metropolis and surrounding counties have been shut down with the invention of the H5N1 fowl flu virus.
Hackensack Meridian Well being (HMH) is taking proactive steps to observe and mitigate the potential threat to public well being. Researchers at HMH’s Heart for Discovery and Innovation (CDI) have developed the capability to quickly sequence and check for the virus, together with rising mutations. This superior testing is being deployed inside HMH hospitals, when sufferers current with influenza signs and testing finds it isn’t one of many frequent seasonal flu strains. This sequencing permits for better understanding and monitoring of the avian flu and its ongoing mutations.
CDI was beforehand instrumental throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, creating its personal check for COVID with outcomes inside two hours enabling our hospitals to higher triage and assist severely in poor health sufferers, when a lot of the nation was sending checks to Washington, D.C. and ready days for affirmation of the virus.
Fowl flu is widespread in wild birds all over the world, and has triggered outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows in the USA. There have been some cases of farmers with direct contact with contaminated animals turning into contaminated, and at the very least one individual has died from fowl flu within the US.
Photograph: ID 28727053 © Wenbin Yu | Dreamstime.com
