Memorial Day is here, and soon summer will arrive. The threat of some diseases, such as Covid-19 is receding, though there are new coronavirus variants to keep an eye on, and a second human case of the bird flu has just been detected in the United States.
With Memorial Day gatherings getting underway in the US, how worried should people be about the coronavirus and bird flu? Knowing that there are outbreaks of bird flu among poultry and cows, is it safe to keep drinking milk and eating eggs? Are there any special precautions to take while preparing hamburgers? What are other major health issues to consider over the holidays and leading into the summer, such as keeping cool to avoid heatstroke?
Though there are new coronavirus variants, the level of coronavirus activity in the United States is quite low. People should assess their risk of severe illness if they were to contract Covid-19.
Those at high risk, such as those who are elderly or with chronic medical conditions, should be sure that they are up to date with vaccines and have a plan for accessing antiviral treatment. They should test if they experience symptoms, and so should others with whom they have close contact.
Those who want to reduce their risk of contracting the coronavirus and other respiratory viruses further should try to attend outdoor rather than indoor gatherings when possible. When traveling in crowded airports and train stations, they could consider wearing well-fitting N95 or equivalent masks.
Regarding bird flu, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to advise that the risk to Americans is low at this time. That’s because there have only been two human cases this year, and both have been in farmworkers with direct exposure to infected cattle. Both individuals had mild symptoms, and there have been no cases of human-to-human transmission during this outbreak.
People who work in the poultry and dairy industry and who otherwise come into regular contact with wild birds, backyard flocks and cows should heed the CDC’s guidance and wear personal protective equipment when working with animals.
Health care providers should be on the lookout for farmworkers with possible flulike symptoms. Other people do not need to change their behaviors at this time, and they certainly should not worry about infection with avian flu during Memorial Day or early summer gatherings.
