Egg Consumption Amidst U.S. Bird Flu Outbreak: What’s the Decision?

In early April, a dairy worker in Texas tested positive for avian influenza, popularly known as bird flu, as the virus spreads among cows across multiple states. The avian flu virus has also been found in raw milk, but officials believe the current risk to the public is low.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this is the first time this strain of bird flu, known as highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1), has been found in cattle, and it is also the first reported cow-to-human transmission of an avian influenza virus. The Texas case is only the second recorded case of avian flu in a human in the US.

While there is no proof that the extremely dangerous H5N1 virus may be transmitted from person to person, health officials are on high alert. In a recent press conference, a prominent specialist at the World Health Organization described the potential of bird flu spreading to humans as “an enormous concern.” Speaking to reporters on April 18, WHO Chief Scientist Dr. Jeremy Farrar cautioned that avian flu viruses are increasingly infecting mammals.

“The great concern … is that the virus evolves and develops the ability to infect humans and then critically, the ability to go from human-to-human transmission,” he warned.

Is Avian Flu a Problem Today?

The current avian flu outbreak has affected cows on over a dozen dairy farms across the country. Although the risk to humans is thought to be low, health officials are calling for heightened surveillance of diseased animals and anyone who has been exposed to them.

While the term “bird flu” may seem terrifying and exacerbate COVID-19 pandemic fears, influenza in birds is not novel.

“The current bird flu strain that we’re concerned with, H5N1, has been circulating the world for quite some time,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

H5N1 is common among wild birds and is causing an ongoing outbreak among poultry in the United States, according to the CDC.

Can Eggs Transfer Bird Flu?

Experts state it is safe to eat eggs, poultry, and beef and to drink pasteurized milk; there is no proof that people can contract bird flu from properly prepared and cooked food.

“We haven’t seen any cases resulting from eating animal products or possibly infected animals,” stated Babcock. Schaffner reported that the discovered dairy cow herds are under quarantine and that their milk is being destroyed.

The USDA declared in a statement that the American commercial milk supply is still safe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared that it is not now concerned about the safety of pasteurized milk products, including pasteurized cheese.

Babcock added, “Our milk supply is kept very safe in the United States by the pasteurization process.” Milk that has been pasteurized has been heated to a temperature high enough to destroy bacteria and viruses, including influenza.

Schaffner warned that drinking unpasteurized, or “raw,” milk is linked to some infectious illness risks. He said, “I discourage people from drinking raw milk.” The FDA claims there is minimal chance that consuming eggs from H5N1-infected poultry can infect people, and there are procedures in place to find affected fowl and take their eggs off the market.

According to Babcock, there is still a very low risk to humans even if products from sick animals could wind up in the food chain. Food stored and cooked correctly lowers the risk even more.

While there aren’t any beef cattle in this outbreak, Schaffner advises cooking meat to a safe internal temperature. Cooking eggs till the white and yolk are firm is advised by the FDA. “You shouldn’t eat raw eggs (or meat) for other reasons as well because these can harbor a variety of infections,” Babcock stated.

What Happens if a Human Gets the Bird Flu?

Experts point out that bird flu infections in humans can range in severity. According to the CDC, some persons experience nil or minor symptoms, while others acquire serious diseases.

“It can be a serious infection with a high mortality rate,” Schaffner explained.

According to the CDC, the Texas patient had a minor infection with the only symptom being red eyes. “It wasn’t even a respiratory infection. “It was conjunctivitis or pink eye,” Schaffner explained.

The patient received flu antivirals and is now healing. “We have antiviral medications, the same ones we use to treat regular flu, that work against this avian influenza strain,” Schaffner went on to say.

The other H5N1 case in the United States in 2022 was also a minor infection, according to Babcock.

The Symptoms of the Bird Flu in Humans

The CDC and experts have identified the following signs and symptoms of avian influenza in humans:

• Symptoms:
• Fever
• cough
• Runny nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Eye redness or irritation (conjunctivitis)
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

According to Babcock, human bird flu symptoms may resemble those of an ordinary flu or upper respiratory illness, or a person may exhibit no symptoms at all. It can also cause pneumonia, respiratory failure, and other problems. “There’s a full range,” she added.

According to the CDC, symptoms alone cannot be used to diagnose a bird flu infection. Laboratory tests are required.

Can You Recover From the Bird Flu?

You can recover from avian flu. The person afflicted in Texas was treated with flu antivirals and is now recovering. The Colorado patient afflicted in 2022 also recovered.

The CDC reports that avian flu symptoms have ranged from mild to severe worldwide, with some instances terminating in death.

How to Prevent the Spread of Bird flu

Despite the minimal chance of contracting avian flu, the CDC recommends the following precautionary measures:

Avoid Visiting Poulxtry Farms if Possible

When visiting poultry farms, wear a mask and avoid touching the animals.

• Avoid ill and dead birds.
• Maintain proper hand hygiene.
• Don’t consume raw or undercooked poultry.
• Consult a doctor if you become ill after coming into contact with birds.