A variant of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza — commonly known as bird flu — proved pesky in recent months, wiping out entire farms of poultry and posing noteworthy risk to humans in the process
Tracking Bird Flu
"Why were eggs so expensive?"
A variant of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza — commonly known as bird flu — has proven pesky in recent months, wiping out entire farms of poultry and posing noteworthy risk to humans in the process.
And yes, these difficulties have resulted in higher egg prices due to scarcity, but it's that latter piece -- the health danger for humans -- that bears more monitoring, understanding, and education.
“It will be difficult to contain,” Dr. Sarah R. Michaels said. “Recent screenings and the national milk testing program have shown that bird flu has spilled over from wild birds to cattle more than once. And this report of infections in three veterinarians highlights the importance of rapidly identifying infected dairy cattle, continued testing of bulk milk, and monitoring human infections among those at increased risk.”
Complicating the ability to track infections are multiple strains of the virus making the rounds, and even worse, a lack of vaccinations among people against human influenza, putting further strain on public health officials.
Michaels, a medical entomologist at Tulane's Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, recommends people continue to receive annual flu shots to keep those infections -- rising in recent months -- in better check.
“It is not entirely clear what is driving this increase, but fewer kids are getting vaccinated against the flu than before Covid‐19,” Michaels says.
Why are eggs so expensive? An Update about Avian Flu
Sarah Michaels is a medical entomologist with a focus in vector-borne disease. Her background is in arbovirus surveillance, vector control, operational research, and community outreach. Dr. Michaels gained experience in public health practice as an Entomologist at the City of New Orleans Mosquito Control Board and an Infectious Disease Epidemiologist at the Louisiana Office of Public Health. Check out her presentation on mosquito-borne disease risk in New Orleans.
3 things you need to know about bird flu
The headlines are awash with reporting on the spread of bird flu, all the while egg prices in the grocery store are soaring. So, what does the average person need to know about bird flu? How serious is the problem? And what can we do to protect ourselves?
3 things you need to know about bird flu
Academic Opportunities in Biostatistics
The MPH in Biostatistics prepares students to assist in selecting a statistical design appropriate for the goals of the research, estimate sample size requirements, establish and maintain databases, select and conduct the appropriate analysis, and communicate the results of the analysis orally and in writing in the fields of public health.
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