The resurgence of bird flu has sparked concern over its transmission and who may be at risk. The report from Iowa reveals the proactive measures veterinarians are taking to address these concerns.
Veterinarians like Kieran Hartley from Circle P Veterinary Services emphasize the importance of continuing education mandated by the USDA.
“We’re required every three years to take continuing education mandated by the USDA,” says Hartley. “It’s basically in prevention and mitigation of foreign animal diseases.”
Despite concerns among clients, Hartley reassures them of the low risk of human infection with bird flu.
Phillip Jardon, from Iowa State University Veterinary Extension, notes that while bird flu is affecting dairy cattle, it is less deadly to them than poultry. However, experts caution that newer cases can potentially affect other animals. Therefore, veterinarians advise individuals to take precautions when handling at-risk animals to prevent the spread of the virus.
Recent findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine underscore the importance of these precautions. The case study reported the first known instance of mammal-to-human transmission of the bird flu virus, involving a U.S. farmworker who contracted the virus after working with dairy cattle in Texas. This highlights the need for proactive measures to prevent the spread of avian influenza and protect both animals and humans.
