(GoRealNewsNow.com) – In an alarming situation, Hawaii’s paradise is under threat as bird flu outbreaks are spreading across the nation, leaving American farmers and families vulnerable.
While the deadly H5N1 virus has now reached the 49th state, with only Louisiana remaining intact, this outbreak is part of a larger surge hitting states along the Pacific flyway, raising alarms about the safety of food supply and the potential risks to human health.
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) confirmed the presence of avian influenza in a backyard flock in Central Oahu, marking the first-ever detection of the virus in the state.
At least 10 birds have already died of the disease, matching the strain that has ravaged mainland poultry and dairy farms.
This development puts Hawaii’s unique ecosystem and agricultural industry at risk, potentially devastating local farmers and disrupting food supplies.
Meanwhile, California is grappling with an explosion of cases, as it has reported a staggering 27 human infections and outbreaks in 335 dairy farms, affecting over one-fourth of the state’s dairy operations.
Arizona has also been affected by the avian flu’s rampage, with its first outbreak reported in a commercial poultry farm in Pinal County.
As the virus continues to spread, concerns are mounting about the federal government’s response and the potential for wider human transmission.
PhD and director of AI and life sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, Sam Scarpino, said he considers the increased H5N1 influenza cases “quite concerning.”
“From ducks and geese in Hawaii and dairy cows in California to human cases in the U.S. and a severe human infection in Canada, it’s clear that the avian influenza outbreak is getting worse, not better,” Scarpino stated.
Although health officials attempted to downplay the risk to the general public, the surge in cases paints a different picture.
A suspected avian flu infection in a child from Alameda County, California, with mild upper respiratory symptoms, has raised concerns about the virus’s ability to jump from animals to humans.
If confirmed, this would be the second such case in North America from an undetermined source, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and protective measures.
The Biden administration’s lackluster response to this growing crisis is putting American lives and livelihoods at risk.
Experts are calling for immediate federal action, including enhanced surveillance, testing, and vaccination efforts to curb the spread of the virus and protect those working in the agricultural sector.
Scarpino added, “We also need to ensure that farm workers are protected and should strongly consider offering them access to H5N1 vaccines.”
As the avian flu crisis intensifies, stronger measures are needed to safeguard the nation’s food security and public health.
The surge in cases across multiple states demands a robust, coordinated response from federal and state authorities.
Hawaii reports first avian flu outbreak in poultry as surge continues on California farms
In other animal developments, outbreaks were detected on several more California poultry and dairy farms, and Arizona reported its first in commercial poultry.https://t.co/sJNAMP5oVm pic.twitter.com/WrM2TxJr9I
— CIDRAP (@CIDRAP) November 18, 2024
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