Flu Increasing in US and Around the Globe
November 20, 2024
• In the last 20 years, there have been 886 cases of Influenza A (H5N1) in 24 countries and more than 460 deaths
• HPAI has occurred in wild mammals, with 3
farmworkers in US and Spain infected in 2022
with no or mild symptoms.
• AI in poultry poses risk to humans from
exposure to infected poultry or contaminated
environments, but this occurs only from
prolonged unprotected contact.
• No human-to-human transmission has occurred,
but global concern is that it could mutate by
combining with human flu strains
• CDC and WHO believe the risk to humans is low.
1. Proper handling and cooking of poultry provides protection against AI and pathogens like Salmonella.
2. Anyone working with poultry or birds should get an annual flu shot to reduce the risk of HPAI mutation.
3. People with work or recreational exposure to birds/infected mammals should protect themselves by:
• Minimizing contact with wild birds or sick or dead poultry by wearing gloves
• Washing hands with soap and water after touching birds.
• Wearing respiratory protection, preferably an N95 respirator if available, or a well-fitting facemask
• Avoiding touching the mouth, nose, or eyes after contact with birds or surfaces that may be
contaminated with their saliva, mucous, or feces.
• Changing clothes before contact with healthy domestic poultry and after handling wild birds. Then, throwing away the gloves and facemask, and washing hands with soap and water.
4. Public health officials may implement testing of asymptomatic exposed persons to further strengthen
surveillance around HPAI outbreaks in poultry farms.
5. Development of vaccines for birds is underway.