A new virus known as HPAI(Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) H5N2 was identified in some of the poultry farms, wild birds and flocks in Washington. This virus has the least potential to risk the lives of the people and also it does not gets transmitted from the food intake. The flocks that have been infected and quarantined birds are killed to avoid the spread of the disease.

What is the possibility of humans getting infected by HPAI?

The United States has not been detected with even a single human case of H5N2. However, Avian flu viruses might infect the human if the human comes into direct contact with the infected birds. The infected human can show symptoms of dizziness, body aches, breathing disorders, itchiness, redness in the eyes.

Transmission of the Avian Influenza virus from human-to-human is a very rare case. According to the study, HPAI specified that it does not risk the health of the public. People coming in direct contact with the infected birds are considered to be at risk. They are then monitored by MDH for around ten days to ensure they don’t fall sick. Antiviral medications are also prescribed by the physicians in case they see any symptom of infection.

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How can HPAI spread?

HPAI can only be spread when the human came in the direct contact with the infected birds or by coming into contact with the contaminated water, food or bedding.

What is the role of MDH?

MDH is working with great interest with the animal health agencies, poultry industries, public health to detecting, identifying, protecting and monitoring the health of the workers in the poultry and all the people who come in direct contact with the infected species.

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The USDA has confirmed that the food is secure and safe from the HPAI virus as they have been keeping a good check on the quality with the help of strongest AI surveillance system. They try to educate the people about what the disease is, what practices being followed to protect them from the virus, and also offer a compensation amount to the people who have been reported with the disease.

USDA is giving its entire contribution to support and safeguard the state by coordinating with the officials of the state and the federal departments on strict surveillance and efforts to control the repercussions. The USDA is aiming to provide a safety cover the poultry owners who have been facing economic losses due to the decrease in the number of the species infected by the disease.