CDC Says Wastewater Data Show No Indicators Of Unusual Influenza Activity In Humans Including H5N1 Avian Flu

Reuters (5/14, Satija, Steenhuysen, Polansek) reports the CDC “on Tuesday released data on influenza A found in wastewater in a public dashboard that could assist in tracking the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu that has infected cattle herds.” During the week ending May 4, “the agency’s surveillance system did not show any indicators of unusual influenza activity in people, including the H5N1 virus. The virus has been detected among dairy cattle in nine U.S. states since late March.” NBC News (5/14, Edwards) reports, “Just one site, in Saline County, Kansas, showed notably high levels of flu virus for this time of the year. Four herds in Kansas tested positive in April, the CDC said.” However, “it’s unclear whether the Kansas wastewater samples were limited to human waste or whether they included runoff water from farms.”