Policy for The People - February 11, 2025

Legislative Avian Flu Address with Dr. Mark Levine

Today legislators met with Dr. Mark Levine about the impending spread of the Avian Flu/H5N1 (sometimes called Bird Flu). Without being dramatic or causing unnecessary hysteria, I hope to provide a brief update for you below. In short, wash your hands as much as possible, wash your clothes after farm work, and watch for symptoms. 

Who is Dr. Levine:

- Vermont Commissioner of Health since 2017 - https://www.healthvermont.gov/about/organization-locations/our-leaders

- Medical Doctor (MD) in the field of internal medicine. 

- Approximately half a century worth of professional experience focused on health promotion and disease prevention, preventative health screening and clinical nutrition, chronic disease management, and solving complex diagnostic dilemmas.

Why this information matters:

- This virus might be capable of a mutation that could combine with the human form of "the flu". This mutation would then lead to transmission of the virus from one human to another.

What was shared: 

- There is no proof of human-to-human transmission (to date). However, there are approximately 70 cases of animal-to-human transmission throughout the country. None of these cases were in Vermont. There have not been any confirmed human cases in Vermont (to date).

- Indoor cats are also at risk of catching the virus if farmers bring traces of H5N1 home. 

- Farmworkers, particularly those working with cows and poultry, are the most at risk group. Be sure to wash your hands as often as possible and clean any clothing that was worn during farm-related activities.

- Resources and education are available for farmers and farmworkers. (https://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/zoonotic-diseases/avian-influenza-bird-flu-humans)

- Because of the potential of genetic mutation, the CDC has deemed the risk of this virus reaching pandemic level as “medium”. 

- The good news: We already have FDA-approved antiviral drugs and vaccines are in the testing process. 

This is Policy for The People.

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