The avian influenza A virus, known as H5N1, has made its first human jump in Nevada, firmly putting agricultural officials on high alert. A dairy farm worker in Churchill County tested positive after being exposed to infected cattle, marking a concerning development in the ongoing bird flu saga that Nevada's been grappling with. The sickened individual is experiencing mild symptoms akin to pink eye, with eye redness and irritation, and is said to be recovering, 8 News Now reported.
Despite immediate concerns, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still considers the risk to the general public to be low, with no current evidence of the virus passing from person to person. Still concerned by the apparent easy jump from birds to cattle and now humans, Nevada Agriculture officials are now ramping up preventive measures. Nevada Agriculture Chief Dr. J.J. Goicoechea, in an interview with FOX5 Vegas, stated, “We now have a d1.1 variant in our dairies in Fallon. This has never been seen before in dairy cattle anywhere. Why it chose Fallon we do not know, obviously you have a lot of interface with wildlife and wild fowl there.”
As for the spread of this d1.1 variant, which was first noticed in the Pacific flyway last August and September and has since spread to all four flyways, Dr. Goicoechea expressed concern over the proximity to wildlife, particularly wild fowl, that could be contributing to these new cases. State lawmakers were assured by Goicoechea that "our milk supply is safe," as pasteurization successfully deactivates the virus and there should be no concern regarding milk in grocery stores. Currently, 50,000 cows are in quarantine across seven herds in Nevada, with six of those herds being in the north, according to a detailed account by 8 News Now.
Meanwhile, the Nevada Department of Wildlife is monitoring the avian flu situation in wild bird populations and is advising caution. The department notes that while most cases of the virus do not significantly affect waterfowl populations, they do encourage those engaging in outdoor activities, such as hunting, to avoid sick or dead birds and to employ appropriate protective measures. Nate LaHue, NDOW Wildlife Veterinarian, advised hunters, "Wear gloves and eye protection when cleaning birds and do so in a well-ventilated area" – information obtained by FOX5 Vegas.
Nevada residents and workers in close contact with birds, either wild or domestic, are being advised to follow strict protocols to minimize risk of exposure. The Nevada Department of Agriculture has outlined necessary precautions on their website and urges immediate quarantine of sick birds along with prompt reporting to the proper authorities.
