1. Three additional Colorado poultry workers test positive for bird flu, bringing state total to 10
CDPHE to launch data table to track bird flu cases in humans as human cases continues to increase
By: Óscar Contreras
Denver7.com
July 25, 2024
DENVER - Three additional poultry workers at a second commercial egg-laying facility in Weld County affected by an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza have tested positive for bird flu, state health officials said Thursday, bringing the total number of confirmed human cases in Colorado to 10.
The update from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) means nine workers have been infected with H5N1 at poultry farms - eight of them just within the past two weeks - since the outbreak of avian influenza was first detected in the state in March of 2022.
A dairy worker was infected with the virus earlier this month after coming into contact with sick cattle, the first instance in which the virus was likely transmitted from a mammal to a human since the unprecedented spillover of the virus into the country's dairy cattle herds.
The announcement from the CDPHE did not say what clinical symptoms the three additional poultry workers presented, nor did it say if any had to be hospitalized or what type of antiviral treatment they had received. Denver7 has reached out to the state health department for additional details.
2. Study confirms mammal-to-mammal avian flu spread
By Krishna Ramanujan
Cornell Chronicle
July 24, 2024
A new study provides evidence that a spillover of avian influenza from birds to dairy cattle across several U.S. states has now led to mammal-to-mammal transmission - between cows and from cows to cats and a raccoon.
"This is one of the first times that we are seeing evidence of efficient and sustained mammalian-to-mammalian transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1," said Diego Diel, associate professor of virology in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences and director of the Virology Laboratory at the Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Diel is co-corresponding author of the study, "Spillover of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus to Dairy Cattle," published July 25 in Nature. [See: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07849-4 ]
Whole genome sequencing of the virus did not reveal any mutations in the virus that would lead to enhanced transmissibility of H5N1 in humans, although the data clearly shows mammal-to-mammal transmission, which is concerning as the virus may adapt in mammals, Diel said.
Full text: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2024/07/study-confirms-mammal-mammal-avian-flu-spread
3. DeLauro, Durbin introduce the Federal Food Administration Act
The Federal Food Administration Act would establish the Federal Food Administration, a single agency responsible for ensuring the safety of the nation's food supply and promoting good nutrition.
By The Packer Staff
The Packer
July 24, 2024
Lawmakers are again seeking to establish a single federal agency to provide food safety oversight.
Ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., introduced the Federal Food Administration Act, legislation that would establish the Federal Food Administration, a single agency responsible for ensuring the safety of the nation's food supply and promoting good nutrition. This new agency would take over food responsibilities currently housed at the Food and Drug Administration.
"I have long said that food safety is a second-class citizen at the Food and Drug Administration," DeLauro said in a news release. "While I am pleased with the reorganization of the Human Foods Program and proud of the progress that Deputy Commissioner Jim Jones has made to revamp how the agency prioritizes food safety, I believe we need a single food safety agency solely focused on keeping the foods that we eat, safe.
"Creating a single food safety agency could prevent avoidable product contaminations and subsequent recalls that disrupt the supply chain, contribute to rising prices, and in many cases, result in consumer illness and death," DeLauro continued. "The 2022 infant formula shortage made this abundantly clear. I am proud to join Senator Durbin in introducing the Federal Food Administration Act, legislation that would strengthen food safety and protect consumers by creating a single independent food agency."
Full text: https://www.thepacker.com/news/food-safety/delauro-durbin-introduce-federal-food-administration-act
4. NM animal health experts update fair guidance to include high-quality masks
By: Austin Fisher
SourceNM.com
July 24, 2024
Well-fitting masks or respirators can help stop the spread of a highly contagious strain of bird flu, according to new guidelines New Mexico animal health officials published as fair season kicks off.
On Monday, three agencies published a three-page guidance document, and sent it to extension offices and fair organizers across New Mexico. In a statement attached to the guidance, the agencies said they're "monitoring" Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the state and "would like to help ensure a safe fair season."
The guidelines recommend fair organizers isolate sick animals away from the public, and hand out and use personal protective equipment when caring for sick animals, including disposable gloves, coveralls, boot covers, and eye protection.
Tim Uyeki, chief medical officer for the CDC's Influenza Division, said last month to avoid getting infected by a cow with bird flu, the recommendation is to wear a well-fitting N95 respirator, along with eye goggles or a face shield and gloves.
The version of the New Mexico guidance published on Monday did not mention masks, even though it linked to the relevant CDC guidance recommending them.
When asked about this omission on Wednesday via email, New Mexico State Veterinarian Samantha Holeck responded with an updated version of the document, which she said was changed "to help with clarity."
5. Massachusetts animal welfare law is legal, says federal judge
Known as Question 3, the Massachusetts law was approved in a landslide in a 2016 statewide referendum.
By FERN's Ag Insider
Successful Farming
July 24, 2024
Rejecting arguments by a Missouri pork processor, U.S. District Judge William Young upheld the legality of a voter-approved Massachusetts state law that requires farmers to give breeding sows room to move around and bars the sale of pork cuts produced outside the state on farms that do not meet the Massachusetts standard. Triumph Foods filed the lawsuit a year ago, soon after the Supreme Court ruled that a similar California law was constitutional, and said it offered a new avenue to challenge the constitutionality of such laws.
"The court now, after careful consideration, determines that the (Massachusetts) Act is not preempted by the FMIA (Federal Meat Inspection Act), and therefore grants the commonwealth's motion for summary judgment…and denies the pork producers' motion for summary judgment," ruled Young in a 19-page decision. "Judgment shall enter for the commonwealth."
The meat inspection law governs the operations of slaughterhouses and does not extend to state laws on meat marketing, contrary to Triumph Foods' interpretation, wrote Young. Triumph and the farmers who are its member-owners are not obliged to ship whole pork cuts to Massachusetts, said the judge, who noted that Triumph segregates its products for sale as organic, grass-fed, and other specialty categories.
Full text: https://www.agriculture.com/massachusetts-animal-welfare-law-is-legal-says-federal-judge-8682718
6. Horse Disease Reported in Alachua County - EEE [FL]
By WCJB Staff
WCJB.com
July 24, 2024
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - A case of the dangerous Triple-E disease that sickens horses has been reported in Alachua County.
The Equine Disease Communication Center website reports a 12-year-old mare pony showed signs of Triple-E on June 21st, but the diagnosis was not confirmed until Friday.
The horse was euthanized. Some of the symptoms the pony showed were a lack of coordination and inability to stand.
This is the 18th case of Triple-E in Florida this year, one was reported in Columbia County in late June.
Source: https://www.wcjb.com/2024/07/25/horse-disease-reported-alachua-county/