The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is not calling for extreme measures to prevent infection just yet. It considers the risk to be low.
A CDC report said the CDC “considers the current risk to the US public from A(H5N1) virus infection amidst the ongoing US outbreak of A(H5N1) viruses to be low; however, persons with exposure to infected animals, or contaminated materials, including cow’s milk, are at higher risk for A(H5N1) virus infection and should take recommended precautions….”
A market analyst said the lack of shrill warnings about the risk of infection to the general population is the reason there has been no discernable rejection of meat or milk purchases at the retail level.
CDC STILL ON THE CASE
But the CDC continues to monitor the situation.
Another CEC update said the CDC was collaborating with the USDA, the Food and Drug Administration, state public health and animal health officials and other partners using a One Health approach.
“To date there have been three human cases associated with an ongoing multistate outbreak of A(H5N1) in US dairy cows,” the CDC release said. All three sporadic cases had direct contact with sick cows.
Meanwhile, the USDA reported that 118 dairy cow herds in 12 states have confirmed cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infections in dairy cows. But the number of infections in dairy herds continues to grow.
WHAT THE CDC IS DOING
These activities were highlighted in the CDC release:
–Posting an appendix to CDC’s interim H5N1) bird flu guidance to categorize the degree of risk among people at higher risk of exposure based on specific activities. The information is to help public health officials and clinicians as they work with farm workers to assess risk and implement monitoring, treatment and testing recommendations.
–Looking at the receptor binding profiles of recent avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses to see how well-adapted they are to causing infections in people compared to birds.
–Continuing to support strategies to maximize protection of farm workers, who are at higher risk of infection based on their exposures.
–Continuing to support states that are monitoring people with exposure to cows, birds or other domestic or wild animals infected or potentially infected with avian influenza viruses. To date more than 690 people have been monitored as a result of their exposure to infected or potentially infected animals, and at least 51 or have developed flu-like symptoms have been tested.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers last week ranged from $186.00 per cwt to $198.26, compared with the previous week’s range of $185.00 to $190.99 per cwt. FOB dressed steers, and heifers went for $291.73 per cwt to $303.78, compared with $291.77 to $304.06.
The USDA choice cutout Friday was down $0.48 per cwt at $322.39 while select was down $1.29 at $303.11. The choice/select spread widened to $19.28 from $18.47 with 112 loads of fabricated product and 20 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The weighted average USDA listed wholesale price for fresh 90% lean beef was $363.67 per cwt, and 50% beef was $90.23.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $1.50 to $1.60 a bushel over the Jul corn contract, which settled at $4.35 a bushel, down $0.04 3/4.
No delivery intentions were posted Friday for the Jun live cattle futures contract.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Thursday was $257.47 per cwt, up $1.68. This compares with Friday’s Aug contract settlement of $258.37, down $2.45.