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Bird flu: humans infected with H5N8 strain for first time in Russia

The first confirmed case in cows "in Minnesota". H5N1 has been confirmed multiple times over recent months in numerous herds across a number of US states.

The H5N2 Mexican case is more interesting, with the individual concerned having no apparent history of having had any contact with any livestock (in particular poultry, which has been implicated in the past in Mexico).
 
Been some worrying updates over the last couple of months - testing of dairy workers is reportedly "woefully inadequate"

So far, bird flu testing of this cohort has been woefully inadequate. Testing is usually under the purview of state authorities following federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Tests are recommended for symptomatic workers. The exact number of dairy workers and other people who have so far been tested for H5N1 is not publicly available at the federal level. There is no excuse to continue only limited testing of this vulnerable population. Any serious surveillance efforts of H5N1 demand that the country do better to ensure proper testing and health care is provided to these workers now, lest we risk being caught flat-footed by a new pandemic so soon after Covid.

This is especially important for a work force whose broader social and economic circumstances may discourage them from seeking out timely testing and treatment. A majority of hired farmworkers in the United States are from Mexico and Central American countries; many lack authorization to work here legally. Undocumented workers may be worried about public health reporting systems putting them at risk for immigration enforcement or preventing future chances of gaining a visa or permanent residency status.

 
Been some worrying updates over the last couple of months - testing of dairy workers is reportedly "woefully inadequate"

So far, bird flu testing of this cohort has been woefully inadequate. Testing is usually under the purview of state authorities following federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Tests are recommended for symptomatic workers. The exact number of dairy workers and other people who have so far been tested for H5N1 is not publicly available at the federal level. There is no excuse to continue only limited testing of this vulnerable population. Any serious surveillance efforts of H5N1 demand that the country do better to ensure proper testing and health care is provided to these workers now, lest we risk being caught flat-footed by a new pandemic so soon after Covid.

This is especially important for a work force whose broader social and economic circumstances may discourage them from seeking out timely testing and treatment. A majority of hired farmworkers in the United States are from Mexico and Central American countries; many lack authorization to work here legally. Undocumented workers may be worried about public health reporting systems putting them at risk for immigration enforcement or preventing future chances of gaining a visa or permanent residency status.


Some of it is logistically impossible. Nebraska has six million cattle. The CDC wants to test everyone each week. While testing is inadequate and worker protections are as well, they need to ask for something that's reasonable. The goal is to protect the public and turning those who will be doing the testing off with impossible tasks isn't helpful.
 
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