After the first human case of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was reported in Texas over the weekend in a person exposed to infected dairy cows, officials from the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture… We want the public to know that highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses exist. No cases of infection in cattle or other livestock have been reported in Connecticut.
The Texas Department of State Health Services said the only symptom experienced by the Texas patient was eye irritation, and the patient's symptoms are being treated with antiviral drugs.
Officials also said the state's commercial milk supply is safe due to the pasteurization process required for interstate commerce.
The Connecticut Department of Health says the CDC's interim recommendations prevent people from coming into unprotected contact with sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, other wild or domestic animals, including cattle, and live animal carcasses. He said it was necessary to avoid this. HPAI A(H5N1) Milk, feces, bedding, or materials contaminated by birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected virus infection.
Also, raw or undercooked foods or related raw foods such as unpasteurized milk and products made from raw milk such as avian influenza or cheese from animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza infection. He also said that people should not cook or eat them.
“This is an evolving situation in Texas. Currently, the risk for Connecticut residents of contracting avian influenza remains low. Pasteurization kills pathogens such as avian influenza in milk, so “Residents in the United States should be reassured that it is safe to drink and eat pasteurized dairy products. Although there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission, they must remain vigilant,” the Ministry of Public Health said. Secretary Manisha Jutani said in a statement.
Jutani said the CDC is working with state health departments to continue monitoring personnel who may have had contact with infected or potentially infected birds or animals and to identify anyone who develops symptoms. It added that it was being inspected.
This is the second case of H5N1 influenza in humans in the United States, according to the CDC, and the first linked to exposure to cattle, according to the state Department of Health.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration and CDC have confirmed positive test results for highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy herds in Texas and Kansas.
Connecticut Department of Health officials said that based on available information and research, there are no concerns about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this situation poses a risk to the health of consumers.
Dairy manufacturers are required to send only milk from healthy animals for processing for human consumption, and milk from affected animals is not included in the food supply. Pasteurization has been continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses such as influenza in milk.
“At this time, there are no confirmed H5N1 cases in dairy cows or other livestock in Connecticut. We continue to expand our information,” Brian P. Hurlburt, secretary of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, said in a statement. “We encourage Connecticut producers to strengthen on-farm biosecurity measures for the health and safety of livestock and farm workers.”
Hurlburt said producers and veterinarians should report cases of sick cattle to state animal health officials at 860-713-2505 or ctstate.vet@ct.gov.
Click here for more information about avian influenza.
