The latest on bird flu in mammals. Plus, can you ask your employees to try taking allergy meds?
April 30, 2024
Health News:
Pasteurization killed the bird flu virus in all tests so far, the FDA says. They will continue to test milk to ensure it’s safe. (Reuters)
Due to avian flu, the danger associated with drinking raw milk is at an all-time high. (STAT)
Norovirus is spreading at a higher rate than expected in Canada. (CP24)
Nearly half of the 24 cats on a dairy farm died shortly after drinking milk from sick cows with H5N1 avian flu. (CIDRAP)
Cattle testing for H5N1 will be more limited than the USDA initially announced. (STAT)
Bird flu cases are likely being missed in dairy workers, experts say. (NBC)
Scientists found a way to restore brain cells impaired by a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder called Timothy syndrome. (NPR)
The U.S. lags behind other countries in Hepatitis C treatment. (NY Times)
A single injection of a monoclonal antibody was effective in preventing malaria in children in Mali. (Medpage Today)
Over 150 people were exposed to measles in West Virginia last week, and 62% don’t have documentation that they’re protected against measles. (ABC)
Doctors are seeing unusual and severe symptoms in syphilis patients, including vision and hearing problems. (CNN)
People who received the COVID booster had 25% lower odds of having long COVID than their unvaccinated counterparts. (CIDRAP)
Uranium and lead were found in the urine of teens who frequently vape. (US News)
Tick-borne Powassan virus has been found in Massachusetts as tick season ramps up. (USA Today)
Mental Health & Substance Use News:
Blank Space Recovery is a recovery mentor service that hosts Swift Steps, a virtual support group for Swifties overcoming addiction. (Phil Inquirer)
A new study bolsters existing research that suggests exercise can protect against anxiety and depression. (NY Times)
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or need help, call 988 or message the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
Best Questions:
Can you explain what it means that cats died on dairy farms after drinking infected milk?
New research in Emerging Infectious Diseases raised some major concerns about the spread of H5N1 avian flu from cows to other animals. The study looked at samples from TX and KS from both cows and cats that died on the farms. Both cows and cats had more severe symptoms than previously reported. Notably, about half of the 24 cats on one farm died after drinking raw cow’s milk from sick cows. This is important because animal-to-animal spread may be more likely than previously thought. Ultimately, more surveillance of all animals and humans working on poultry and dairy farms is needed.
Can we ask an employee to try taking seasonal allergy medications before calling out sick for a runny nose and sore throat?
This is a question for your legal team, but our general rule of thumb is not to give any suggestions or requests that can be construed as medical advice. Instead, you can ask employees if they have tried taking allergy medications and whether those medications have alleviated their symptoms. If they help, it’s generally a good indicator that their symptoms are, in fact, allergy-related, and they’re usually clear to continue to work. If not, you can also review our allergy chart to help determine if someone’s symptoms are more likely due to respiratory illness versus allergies.
