New outbreak of deadly bird flu strain confirmed for first time in 8 years

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Zoo closes penguin exhibit to public due to bird flu outbreak

A zoo in Wisconsin said it closed its popular penguin exhibit to the public to protect the animals from bird flu amid an outbreak impacting millions of poultry, dairy cows, and wild birds in multiple U.S. states.

A new bird flu outbreak has been confirmed as the virus continues to spread across the U.S.

The deadly H7N9 strain was detected on a poultry farm in Noxubee, Mississippi, last week, for the first time since 2017.

The infection of 47,654 commercial broiler-breeder chickens was confirmed on March 13 by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

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Samples of the flock were tested at the Mississippi Veterinary Research & Diagnostic Laboratory and came back positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, the State of Mississippi Board of Animal Health announced in a press release on March 12.

The deadly H7N9 strain was detected on a poultry farm in Noxubee, Mississippi, last week, for the first time since 2017. (REUTERS/Mariana Nedelcu)

The affected area has been quarantined and birds on the property have been depopulated to prevent spread.

None of the birds from the flock have entered the food system, according to the Mississippi board.

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"The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in conjunction with state animal health and wildlife officials, is conducting a comprehensive epidemiological investigation and enhanced surveillance in response to the detection," WOAH wrote in its report. 

The H5N1 strain of bird flu has caused the most damage to poultry in recent years, as well as the death of one person, although H7N9 has had a "high death rate for humans worldwide," according to Reuters.

The H5N1 strain of bird flu has caused the most damage to poultry in recent years, as well as the death of one person, although H7N9 has had a "high death rate for humans worldwide," according to Reuters. (iStock)

The strain has reportedly killed 616 of the 1,568 people infected globally since its first detection in China in 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported.

Neither of the two forms of bird flu have been found to transmit easily from person to person.

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Although cases of bird flu have continued to rise in recent weeks, WebMD chief medical officer and practicing physician Dr. John Whyte recently told Fox News Digital that there shouldn’t be too much concern.

"You definitely want to cook poultry, and you definitely want to make sure you cook eggs, typically at an internal temperature of about 165 degrees," he advised. "But you don't want to be eating runny eggs right now."

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"Of all the things that I'm concerned about right now in terms of flu, in terms of other respiratory viruses, in terms of outbreaks of measles, I'm aware of bird flu, and I think people should be aware of it, but I'm not overly concerned about it."

"You definitely want to cook poultry, and you definitely want to make sure you cook eggs, typically at an internal temperature of about 165 degrees," Dr. John Whyte advised amid bird flu outbreaks. (AP/Terry Chea)

Dr. Myles Druckman, global medical director at International SOS in California, shared with Fox News Digital how H7N9 was first said to be a "novel reassortant" of three strains of bird flu.

"Since its discovery, it has infected more than 1,500 people and about 40% of the infected people died as a result," he said. "Symptoms typically develop within five days following exposure to the virus and can last up to 10 days."

"This specific strain of influenza is typically found in people who have had contact with poultry or infected birds."

Druckman listed common symptoms including fever and cough, "which may result in shortness of breath and pneumonia." 

"Most patients experience severe respiratory illness," he added.

To avoid catching H7N9, experts said to properly cook all poultry and poultry products, like eggs. (iStock)

There is currently no available vaccine, but antiviral medicines can reduce the severity of the virus, according to the expert.

"This specific strain of influenza is typically found in people who have had contact with poultry or infected birds," he said. 

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"To avoid exposure to H7N9, do not go to any live animal markets, handle birds (even if they appear healthy) or touch any surfaces that may be contaminated by bird droppings." 

"Practicing good hygiene like handwashing is important, and it’s advised to properly cook all poultry and poultry products, like eggs."