Largest H5N1 outbreak in US History-Inching Closer to Human Transmissibility

In his latest video, Dr. Seheult of MedCram discusses the Avian Influenza A outbreak. This is currently the largest bird flu outbreak in U.S. history. About 58 million chickens have had to be destroyed as well as 6200 wild birds that included the bald eagle.

What is Avian Influenza A?

This Avian Influenza A is also known as H5N1. It is a flu virus and is predominately spread amongst birds. It was first detected in 2020 and has since then spread by migration to Europe, Africa and Asia. In 2021, it was found to be in the U.S.  Since that time, it has spread like wildfire and led to the destruction of 58 million chickens. Eggs prices have gone up significantly over the past year as a result. 

Where has it been found?

It has also been found in mammals such as skunks, dogs, raccoons, bears, mountain lions and dolphins. However, scientists believe that these animals contracted it by feeding on birds that were infected with the virus. It normally had not been known to have mammal to mammal spread until recently when in Maine they found 150 dead seals. Autopsy reports were done and these mammals were found to have died due to the H5N1 bird flu. This is believed to be the first mammal to mammal transmission. In Spain, they found a mink farm also infected with the H5N1 virus and ended up destroying 51000 minks. In these minks there was a genetic mutation in the H5N1 that was similar to the H1N1 of 2009 which is concerning because this could make a jump to humans. 

Can humans get it?

There have been about 6 documented cases of H5N1 in humans, but no spread has occurred beyond this. The concern is that humans do not have any immunity to this, similar to what occurred with COVID-19. There are vaccines that have been developed for H5N1, but to ramp up significant production would probably take about 6 months if it were needed on a wide scale basis. This vaccine is a traditional inactivated vaccine. 

How to improve your health? 

MedCram wants to educate its viewers about potential health hazards in the world and how to best prepare and optimize your health.  As we know from the COVID-19 pandemic, dependence on interventions that rely on testing, pharmaceuticals, supply chains, and prescriptions may not  be available in any timely manner. We saw many instances of this during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. 

MedCram has tried to focus on scalable interventions that can be done at home such as hydrotherapy, getting adequate sleep, exercise, good nutrition, and exposure to near infrared light by getting outside to optimize your health. Be sure to watch our Light as medicine video, and MedCram updates 46 and 47. Now is the time to learn these techniques to further optimize your health.

 

LINKS / REFERENCES:

Is the US prepared for a possible bird flu pandemic? What we know. (USA Today) | https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/h…

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