phoenix – Officials with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health said they have detected “influenza subtypes related to avian influenza” in wastewater in the county.
Influenza A (H5) subtypes, which may include H5N1, have been detected in Phoenix, Surprise and Tempe, according to a statement released Dec. 30. The three cities are monitoring their wastewater, but officials said, “At this time, we are unable to confirm the exact source location of the virus detection.”
“No human cases of avian influenza have been detected in Maricopa County, and the risk to the general population remains low,” the statement reads in part.
Recent cases of bird flu in Arizona
Cases of bird flu have been confirmed in Arizona in recent weeks.
On November 15, Arizona Department of Agriculture officials announced that poultry was being raised on a commercial farm in Pinal County. A positive test result for bird flu.
A few weeks later, on Nov. 25, state health and agriculture officials said: A backyard herd in Maricopa County has tested positive. Anti-virus measures.
December 6thState health officials announced that two people who were “exposed to infected poultry while working at a commercial facility in Pinal County” have tested positive for avian influenza.
“These people reported mild symptoms, received treatment and recovered,” the statement said in part.
On Dec. 11, Maricopa County health officials announced it was avian influenza. likely to have led to death Photos of 5 animals from Wildlife World Zoo.
What is avian influenza?
According to mayo clinicAvian influenza, also known as “avian influenza,” is caused by influenza A virus infection in birds.
In very severe cases, birds can die from avian influenza, the website says.
“Although avian influenza rarely infects humans, influenza A viruses that infect birds can undergo changes, called mutations, that can infect humans and spread from person to person more frequently. , health authorities are concerned,” the website reads in part. “Because the new bird flu is a new virus to humans, such mutant strains could spread rapidly around the world.”
