Bird flu risk is currently low: WHO urges countries to remain on alert
File photo of the WHO logo.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday (Apr 26) that thecurrentoverallpublic health risk posed by the H5N1birdfluvirus waslow,but urged countriesto stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission, the news agency Reuters reported.
The WHO further saidthatcountriesshould implement infection control measures and procedures to reduce human exposure tobirds and mammals potentially infected withbirdfluor other animal influenza viruses. The United Nations (UN) health agency also strongly advised peopleshouldconsume only pasteurised milk.
"The virus hasbeen detectedin milkandits potential role in transmission isbeing investigated," it added.
Bird flu spread in US dairy cattle intensifies
The WHO's warning came as Colorado became the latest state in the United States (US)to detect bird flu in dairy cattle. Infections in dairy cattlewere previously reportedin Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, Idaho, New Mexico, North Carolina, and South Dakota.
Federal lawmakers urged the Joe Biden administrationto further contain the virus' spreadas tests showed one in five UScommercial milk samples contained remnants of bird flu, Reuters reported.
Pasturised milk safe from virus
Also on Friday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) saidthatthere was no reason to believethe virus found in milk possessesrisk to human health, and Americanhealth authorities said that pasteurised milk sold in stores was safe from the virus.
StartingonMonday (April 28), the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will require dairy cows to test negative forbirdflubeforetheyare movedacross state lines.
(With inputs from agencies)