{"id":14049,"date":"2024-07-30T12:26:14","date_gmt":"2024-07-30T16:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/?p=14049"},"modified":"2024-07-30T12:26:14","modified_gmt":"2024-07-30T16:26:14","slug":"unc-virologist-and-professor-of-genetics-raises-awareness-of-potential-bird-flu-infections-after-rise-in-cases-in-colorado","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/unc-virologist-and-professor-of-genetics-raises-awareness-of-potential-bird-flu-infections-after-rise-in-cases-in-colorado\/","title":{"rendered":"UNC virologist and Professor of Genetics raises awareness of potential bird flu infections after rise in cases in Colorado"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Mark
Mark Heise, PhD Professor of Genetics and Microbiology & Immunology<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since 2022, 14 cases of bird flu in humans have been reported in the United States. Since April 1, four people have contracted the virus after exposure to dairy cows, while 10 cases since April 28, 2022, came after exposure to poultry. Colorado has 10 cases in total.<\/p>\n

Colorado continues to lead the nation in human infections of bird flu.<\/p>\n

Since 2022, 14 cases of bird flu in humans have been reported in the United States. Since April 1, four people have contracted the virus after exposure to dairy cows, while 10 cases since April 28, 2022, came after exposure to poultry.\u00a0Colorado has 10 cases in total<\/a>.<\/p>\n

WRAL News wanted to know North Carolina’s chances of seeing the same numbers, so we asked UNC School of Medicine virologist Marke Heise.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think there\u2019s a large agricultural community here in North Carolina, especially in the poultry industry,\u201d he said.\u201dThat is a concern for North Carolina, just like in many other states, where the poultry industry is quite large.\u201d<\/p>\n

While he said it\u2019s concerning, Heise said it doesn\u2019t make the state an enhanced risk compared to other states.<\/p>\n

As for how those infected are cooping, Heise said most are experiencing mild respiratory symptoms, but most are doing okay.<\/p>\n

\u201cOther people have just had their eyes affected with conjunctivitis, but in general, it hasn\u2019t caused severe disease in humans,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Millions of domestic birds have been killed in Colorado to prevent the virus from spreading.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the ways you can protect yourself from the virus:<\/p>\n