Quick takes: More avian flu in US dairy cattle

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Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
  • The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated its case counts of H5N1-infected dairy herds late last week, confirming 121 cases in 12 states since the beginning of the outbreak. There have been 58 confirmed cases in the last month, with Idaho reporting the most recent cases with 17 livestock herds affected in the past month.
  • On Saturday the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship reported another affected dairy herd in Sioux County, raising the state’s total to 11 detections within dairy herds in Iowa.
  • A team of USDA epidemiologists have traced H5N1 viral spread in Michigan to a single dairy herd unknowingly introduced in the spring to infected dairy cows from Texas, according to a story in the Toledo Blade.
  • US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack called on farmers to enhance biosecurity measures and to opt into USDA support programs and herd monitoring programs. In an editorial in Agri-Pulse, Vilsack said, "Farmers are going to lead the charge, but they won’t need to do it alone. USDA is here to support them every day and we will continue to do all we can to protect animal and human health."

This week's top reads

  1. Second death reported as measles cases climb in Texas, New Mexico

    The measles outbreak in Texas rises to 198 cases, while New Mexico's outbreak climbs to 30 cases.

    Chris Dall
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  2. Measles cases reported in Philadelphia area and in Texas traveler

    In its latest update, the CDC says it has received reports of 164 cases from 9 jurisdictions this year.

    Lisa Schnirring

  3. CDC team assisting with Texas measles outbreak as case total rises

    Texas health officials reported 13 more cases today, putting the state's outbreak total at 159.

    Lisa Schnirring

  4. Oklahoma reports first measles cases linked to growing Texas outbreak

    Two people with reported exposure associated with the Texas and New Mexico outbreaks now have symptoms. 

    Stephanie Soucheray
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  5. Maryland measles patient may have exposed others, health officials warn

    The patient may have exposed people at Washington Dulles International Airport and a pediatric emergency department in Maryland.

    Chris Dall

  6. H5N1 findings prompt another raw pet food recall

    The recall follows severe cat illnesses in Oregon and Washington, where the food was distributed.

    Lisa Schnirring

  7. Second cluster reported in Uganda's Ebola Sudan outbreak

    The newly confirmed cases are linked to a 4-year-old boy who died from his Ebola infection last week.

    Lisa Schnirring
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  8. Two fatal probable cases reported in Uganda's Ebola Sudan outbreak

    The death of a mother and her newborn baby are connected to a recent case and raise more concerns about undetected transmission.

    Lisa Schnirring
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  9. Report: Influenza A and B clinically different, and type B patients less likely to receive antiviral

    While influenza B patients had better short-term outcomes, they experienced higher-than-expected rates of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death.

    Mary Van Beusekom
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  10. Probe in DR Congo unexplained illness cluster shifts toward chemical or meningitis causes

    Deaths occurred soon after illness onset and mainly occurred in one village, with younger men disproportionately affected.

    Lisa Schnirring

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