Answering questions about bird flu
The first reported human death from the bird flu virus in the U.S. came last week in Louisiana. The person who died had exposure to a backyard flock of chickens and wild birds.
While there is no sign the virus is spreading from person to person, Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, world renowned infectious diseases professor and vice chair for clinical research in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, recently discussed prevention, transmission and preparedness on Cincinnati Edition on WVXU.
"There is a heightened awareness of this, and so since 2022, we've been testing very extensively in animal populations, looking for this, what we call H5N1 avian influenza A. And since we've been doing this, there's also been surveillance that's been done by the CDC as well, looking for these infections as well in human beings," said Fichtenbaum.
He said bird flu or avian flu viruses have been around since the 1990s but have yet to take hold.
"There's always concern, but we have been monitoring these kinds of of bird flus for a while, and what we're not seeing is human-to-human transmission. So, I think right now what we're worried about the most are coming in contact with animals, because the particular type of influenza A that we're seeing in these animal populations is very widespread in poultry, birds and also cattle now," said Fichtenbaum.
But only 63 human cases have been reported in the U.S. to date. So, he said he doesn't think anyone should be panicking, because there has not been human-to-human transmission yet — and not transmission from purchasing or eating eggs.
"It's mostly been from the people who work caring for the animals or have close contact. You're feeding animals, feeding birds, things like that," said Fichtenbaum.
Fichtenbaum suggests wearing gloves if anyone is in contact with wild animals, wearing a mask if someone is around bird droppings (near a bird feeder, for example), not touching the face when handling any wild animals and washing hands thoroughly afterward.
Listen to the full segment to hear Fichtenbaum talk about a possible bird flu vaccine.
Featured image at top: iStock/Jun Li.
Latest UC News
- 10tv.com: Ohio takes action against organized retail crimeRetail theft expert Karl Langhorst speaks to 10tv.com on a recent report by the National Retail Federation that shows organized retail crimes has risen.
- UC more likely than Ivy Leagues to produce unicorn startupsFor the second year in a row, a report found that University of Cincinnati alumni have the highest likelihood per capita in the U.S. of becoming unicorn founders.
- University of Cincinnati recognized with 15 rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online ProgramsU.S. News and World Report (the global authority in education rankings) published its 2025 Best Online Programs rankings on January 21, 2025, recognizing the University of Cincinnati with 15 spots in the list of degree-granting university programs that affordably serve the educational needs of distance learners in a reasonable timeframe.
- Law lecture to focus on localism, nationalism in American constitutional lawUC College of Law lecture by Chief Judge Jeffrey S. Sutton will focus on localism and nationalism in American constitutional law.
- Law lecture highlights legal developments, Supreme Court rulings on higher educationUC Law lecture by Columbia University President Emeritus Lee Bollinger will highlight recent legal developments, Supreme Court rulings on higher education.
- CCM hosts Moveable Feast gala fundraiser on Jan. 24, 2025UC College-Conservatory of Music hosts its Moveable Feast fundraising gala live and in-person on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. Presented by CCMpower, a dedicated volunteer group of friends, advocates and alumni, Moveable Feast 2025: A Tempo generates essential support for the next generation of performing and media artists at CCM. Learn more about the event's "artistic menu" in our digital program!