In recent months, cases of bird flu have been on the rise in the United States, prompting health departments across the country to address the situation and its presence in their communities. Bird flu is a form of influenza that typically affects domestic and wild birds, but this year it has also been found in dairy cattle for the first time, first in Texas and then in Michigan.
In Hamilton County, Dr. Dawn Ford from the health department emphasized the importance of avoiding raw milk consumption as it can lead to illness from various viruses and bacteria, including H5N1. She recommended monitoring for symptoms and practicing protective measures against respiratory diseases. While commercial milk is deemed safe, there have been no reported cases of bird flu in Tennessee as of now.
Flu surveillance is ongoing throughout the summer to detect any potential human-to-human transmission of the virus as soon as possible. Wastewater testing for bird flu is being conducted in several states, including Tennessee, with Chattanooga and Memphis being monitored closely. Although wastewater in states like Minnesota, Idaho, Texas, and Michigan has tested positive for bird flu virus (H5N1), as of yet there have been no positive results in Tennessee’s wastewater testing.
While the risk remains low in Hamilton County due to the absence of certified dairy farms, other counties in the state are being closely monitored by health officials. Over 170 certified dairy farms in Tennessee are working with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to ensure farm workers are taking necessary precautions to protect themselves from the disease. The focus remains on monitoring the situation and staying vigilant as we continue to work together to prevent further spread of this virus.
