Bird flu could possibly affect humans

http://www.abc17news.com/news/cdc-bird-flu-could-possibly-affect-humans/33427576

This week the CDC released a report expressing concerns about the H2N5 strain of avian flu possibly affecting humans.

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For months the CDC has said it is not contagious to humans.

Dr. Dan Shaw at Mizzou’s Veterinary School said if someone were to contact H2N5 it would have to be inhaled.

He said this is dangerous because not only are poultry farms experiencing a mass infection of the virus, but people who handle waterfowl could possibly be at risk, as well.

“As far as human safety, waterfowl can get infected with the virus and they don’t tend to get that sick with it.  So, they could be a source of infection and when the fall migration comes back down the Central and Mississippi it is causing some concern,” said Shaw.

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http://www.abc17news.com/news/cdc-bird-flu-could-possibly-affect-humans/33427576

Shaw said hunters in Missouri should be concerned if they hunt geese or ducks.

He said people who handle the birds are at the highest risk for getting the virus, if it should mutate, which the CDC now says is a possibility.

“That would definitely be a way to get exposed to it and all the poultry companies advise their workers to give up waterfowl hunting or find a new job because they are so worried about the source,” said Shaw.