Bird flu virus detected in Los Angeles County wastewater

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Bird flu virus detected in Los Angeles County wastewater

Los Angeles County health officials said they detected the H5N1 avian flu virus in wastewater collected at the AK Warren Water Resources Facility in Carson.

The viral “hit” was detected on October 28 by WastewaterSCANan infectious disease surveillance network run by researchers at Stanford, Emory University and Verily, Alphabet Inc.’s life sciences organization.

Successes were also seen last week in San Jose, Redwood City, San Francisco, Palo Alto, Sacramento, Santa Cruz, Marina and Turlock.

Officials say they have not identified the source of the virus, but suggest a few possibilities, including discarded contaminated animal products and feces from infected wild birds. They also “actively engage key at-risk groups,” including nearby dairy and meat processing sites.

They say the risk to the public remains low.

H5N1 avian flu has been detected in 203 California dairy herds since August; 17 dairy workers were also infected. Throughout the country, 41 people were infected – 21 from dairy cows, 19 from poultry and one unknown person. The USDA reported 404 positive dairy herds in 14 states. This number does not include eight herds detected earlier this week in Utah.

This was also conclusively detected in an Oregon pig.

County health officials said in a statement that they regularly monitor and test symptomatic birds, pets and wild mammals.

The wastewater findings come as the virus spreads among California’s dairy cows — which now account for more than half of the country’s reported bovine infections — and as the fall migration of wild birds from the Arctic shifts to south along the Pacific Flyway.

There are now two strains of H5N1 bird flu circulating in California. The form circulating in dairy cows is known to scientists as B3.13. A new version of wild birds that has appeared recently is known as D1.1 or D1.2.

It is unclear whether genetic sequencing of the H5 virus found in Los Angeles County wastewater has been carried out.

H5 viruses are of avian origin; they are not human viruses.

County officials could not be reached prior to publication.

In a statement, officials said people could reduce their risk of infection by avoiding raw milk, raw cheese and undercooked meats. Pasteurization and proper cooking inactivate the virus.

They also recommend that people avoid unprotected contact with sick or dead animals, as well as avoid materials contaminated with bird droppings. Pets can also be infected in this way. And officials are asking people to report sick or dead birds to local animal control agencies.

They also recommend that people get the flu vaccine every year. Although seasonal flu vaccination does not prevent infection with bird flu, it reduces the chance of bird flu combining with human flu, potentially creating a new virus that could spread more easily between humans.

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