As of late, the H5N1 strain of Bird Flu has had a surge in the United States. With this surge, it has affected a lot of animals and the food industry. With the virus becoming so widespread, many experts have become cautious about how much damage the virus can cause to people. With something like the bird flu, it’s apparent that chickens and other poultry animals will be affected, but experts believe that H5N1 is evolving and infecting more species.
Around a year ago, in Idaho, over 900 herds of cattle were infected by H5N1. Additionally, many people were infected by the virus, with one death among those infections. Cattle were previously thought to not even be susceptible to bird flu. Cattle that were affected by H5N1 had their milk production affected severely. Additionally, the disease led to more abortions of calves.
In December 2024, two major cases of H5N1 were documented in humans. The first was a case in Louisiana where an elderly woman had caught the disease. She frequently took care of birds and died due to already pre-existing health conditions. A 13-year-old girl in Canada also contracted the disease and had to be placed on life support, granted she also had pre-existing health complications. It’s reported that around 67 Americans were infected with H5N1 in 2024 alone.
Dr. Nirah Shah, the Principle Deputy Director of the CDC, stated that H5N1 is “a low risk, relative to the other risks they face today.” Experts have stated that there are ways for people to decrease the chances of getting H5N1, one of the main preventive measures being to not consume raw milk or meats. Additionally, it is recommended to not feed your pets raw meats to prevent them from getting the disease.
If H5N1 were to evolve further, it could lead to yet another pandemic. In that situation, new versions of the current bird flu vaccine would have to be developed. In the medical community, there’s concern on whether the new vaccine would even be accepted due to the push back the COVID-19 vaccine received during and after the pandemic.
Another factor that plays into this belief from the medical community is Robert Kennedy Jr. Kennedy was chosen by President Trump to be his Health Secretary in the new Trump Administration. He previously held an anti-vaccine stance, stating that “COVID shots are a crime.” Additionally, Kennedy peddled anti-vaccine statements in American Samoa, which led to a measles outbreak where 83 people died. Furthermore, Kennedy has stated that he believes that the bird flu vaccine is “dangerous.”
Despite this, the medical community believes that there’s still time to prevent any possible outbreak of H5N1. An outbreak isn’t seen as a “when”, it is seen as an “if.” People should be aware of the status of H5N1 among farm populations, as it has already affected the price of eggs and dairy products. To avoid catching the disease or spreading it, steer clear of touching dead or sick birds of any kind. If you feel that you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms, get tested for the bird flu.
