Outbreak of H5N1 in Poultry Raises Concerns Over Livestock and Farmworkers
Ohio, February 2023 – Since January 1, a strain of the H5N1 virus, presumed to be D1.1, has been detected in 40 commercial poultry farms across a two-county area in Ohio. This advancement has sparked urgent calls for thorough livestock screening and raised important concerns about the health and safety of farmworkers, particularly those who are undocumented.
Dr. Erik Korslund, a prominent virologist, emphasized the need for immediate action.”The entire livestock population in the area should be screened now to sort out susceptibility and viral hosting,given the circumstances,” Korslund said. However, he is most concerned about the farmworkers on the frontlines of this viral battle.
“The political climate is a major concern,” Korslund noted. “Given the current administration’s stance,it’s uncertain how this outbreak will be addressed. So many unanswered questions yet on how this strain will behave in cattle. We may have to hope that Canada does the research as our federal researchers appear to be temporarily paralyzed by the political process.”
Korslund’s worries extend beyond livestock. “No caring public health personnel can currently in good conscience recommend that sick, undocumented farm animal caretakers or flock depopulation employees get tested, knowing that ICE could show up at testing sites to demand citizenship verification,” he wrote. “Better to push the tamiflu and recommend staying home a day or two … any worker testing initiatives are dead in the water and viral isolates will not be monitored for genomic changes by public health officials.”
The H5N1 virus, which has previously affected poultry, poses a significant threat to both livestock and human health. The strain D1.1, in particular, has raised alarms due to its potential to mutate and affect other species.Ohio, with its dense agricultural operations, is a hotspot for such outbreaks.
Experts are calling for increased vigilance and testing of livestock, including dairy cows, to understand the full scope of the virus’s impact. “We need to be proactive in our approach to contain this virus and protect both our livestock and our farmworkers,” Korslund urged.
The political climate and immigration policies have added layers of complexity to the response efforts. “It’s a challenging situation,” Korslund said. “We need to ensure that our public health measures are effective without putting vulnerable workers at risk.”
As the situation evolves, health officials and researchers are working to stay ahead of the virus. “We must continue to monitor the situation closely and adapt our strategies as needed,” Korslund concluded.
For more data on H5N1 and its impact,visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Image: A commercial poultry farm in ohio. Source: Ohio Department of Agriculture
Image: Dr. Erik Korslund. Source: Korslund Lab
Interview wiht Dr. erik Korslund on the H5N1 Outbreak
Editor: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Korslund. Could you provide an overview of the current situation with the H5N1 outbreak in Ohio?
Dr. Erik Korslund: Since January 1, a strain of the H5N1 virus, presumed to be D1.1, has been detected in 40 commercial poultry farms across a two-county area in Ohio.This growth has sparked urgent calls for thorough livestock screening and raised vital concerns about the health and safety of farmworkers, notably those who are undocumented.
Editor: What measures are being considered to control this outbreak, especially in terms of livestock screening?
Dr. erik Korslund: The entire livestock population in the area should be screened now to sort out susceptibility and viral hosting, given the circumstances. This is critical to understanding the spread and potential impact of the virus on other farms and livestock.
Editor: Could you elaborate on the political climate’s impact on addressing this outbreak?
Dr. Erik Korslund: The political climate is a major concern. Given the current administration’s stance,it’s uncertain how this outbreak will be addressed. So many unanswered questions yet on how this strain will behave in cattle.We may have to hope that Canada does the research as our federal researchers appear to be temporarily paralyzed by the political process.
Editor: How does this situation affect farmworkers, particularly those who are undocumented?
Dr. Erik Korslund: No caring public health personnel can currently in good conscience recommend that sick, undocumented farm animal caretakers or flock depopulation employees get tested, knowing that ICE could show up at testing sites. This puts vulnerable workers at risk and undermines efforts to contain the virus.
Editor: What are the next steps, in your opinion, for mitigating this outbreak?
Dr. Erik Korslund: We must continue to monitor the situation closely and adapt our strategies as needed.Immediate and thorough screening of livestock, along with protecting and ensuring testing access for all farmworkers, is crucial to mitigating this outbreak.
Editor: Given the complexity of the situation, are there any organizations or websites where people can find more detailed data on H5N1?
Dr. Erik Korslund: For more data on H5N1 and its impact, people can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. They provide thorough and up-to-date information on the virus and its health implications.
Image: A commercial poultry farm in Ohio. Source: Ohio department of Agriculture
Image: Dr. Erik Korslund. Source: Korslund Lab
