UW Medicine infectious disease expert Dr. Helen Chu addresses bird flu concerns

Recent bird flu outbreaks among dairy cows and the detection of the H5N1 virus in farm animals nationwide have raised concerns about potential human risks.

UW Medicine's infectious disease expert, Dr. Helen Chu, recently addressed these concerns, discussing the likelihood of humans contracting bird flu and the safety of consuming dairy cow milk, beef, and eggs.

While the risk of humans contracting bird flu remains low, primarily affecting wild animals and those directly exposed to infected birds, the spread of the disease to dairy cows and a Texas dairy worker have raised potential health concerns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised people to avoid direct exposure to sick or dead animals that are suspected of being infected with the H5N1 bird flu virus. 

Though rare, there have been cases of humans contracting the bird flu. Illness from the disease in humans can range from no symptoms or mild illness to severe and potentially fatal complications. Chu explained that the virus primarily affects birds because it attaches to specific receptors in their airways that humans do not have. 

"What we know about avian flu is that it's not well adapted to cause infection in humans," Chu said. "The reason for that is because, in birds, the virus attaches to certain receptors in the airways, and we don't share those same receptors."   

According to Chu, the molecular tests being used are highly sensitive and can detect even small amounts of the virus, and there is currently no evidence of live viruses in milk or beef. Addressing concerns about human transmission, she noted that there is no known H5N1 being transmitted from human to human, though flu tests will detect the virus if someone has been exposed to it, especially through contact with farm animals.

Regarding food safety, Chu noted that thoroughly cooking beef and eggs at high temperatures will destroy bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza, making them safe to consume. 

In Nov. 2023, a sickly Canadian goose was spotted at Drumheller Fountain and was suspected of having H5N1. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed bird flu cases in Seattle but found no traceable data on the UW campus.

"Washington state is interesting because it's along what's called the Pacific Flyway,” Chu said. “So when birds are migrating from different places, they fly over Washington state. We're actually in a place where birds would naturally be shedding avian flu along the way as they migrate. And we know that birds have been carrying this H5N1 for a while now, for months. Try to stay away from them, even if they look fine. Birds can have H5N1 and not show symptoms." 

Serenity Hang, a second-year student in occupational safety and health continuing education, noted the community's lack of caution regarding health and safety issues. 

"I often hear about health concerns through social media platforms like TikTok rather than hearing from the community," Hang said. "If it's something very serious, I definitely think health and safety concerns should be brought to attention and be more cautious about it. It's our safety."