Arizona sees first case of human bird flu as government begins testing milk for virus
Bird flu has officially jumped from birds to infect two people in Arizona, AZFamily reported Friday.
It adds another state to the list where the disease has spread.
State health officials said the transition impacted two workers at a commercial facility where infected birds were processed. The poultry at the facility tested positive in mid-November, reported AZ Central.
While cases of the disease, known as Type A H5N1, jumping to humans in California have previously been reported, this is the first case in Arizona, the report said.
“There is no evidence that human-to-human transmission of H5 (avian flu) is occurring to date. The risk to the general public from H5 remains low,” the health department promised in a news release.
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Several bird flu cases have been reported across Arizona among the feathered creatures.
In March, the first case of bird flu was detected in U.S. cows' milk.
The USDA said Friday they're implementing a National Milk Testing Strategy, which will mandate milk supplies be tested for the virus. It will begin Dec. 16 in six states.
"The virus has been spreading rapidly, particularly in California, where nearly 500 of the more than 700 infected U.S. herds have been detected," the report said about animals impacted by the flu.
"The virus has infected 57 people in the U.S. this year, including 31 in California, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," it continued.
It first popped up in Texas where at least cows were either slaughtered by the rancher or died of the disease. Reuters then reported that the same was unfolding in five other states.
"Although the virus kills many types of mammal, most infected cows don't develop severe symptoms or die," Nature.com wrote in May.
The American Veterinary Medical Association confirmed that, saying, "Most affected animals reportedly recover with supportive treatment.
After the election, the American Farm Bureau Federation released a statement saying that bird flu caused the price of eggs to soar in grocery stores.
"It is likely that egg prices will continue to show volatility related to the impacts of HPAI," the report said.
Grocery prices proved to be a major concern for Americans when they went to the polls in November, and they blamed Democrats, CNN reported.