Influenza activity across the state remains elevated, said Dr. Leisha Nolen, state epidemiologist for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.

“Although it has decreased somewhat since its peak around the holiday weeks in late December,” she said, “influenza-associated hospitalizations are in the moderate severity level. Outpatient visits due to influenza-like illness made up 3.4% of all outpatient visits in Utah this past week. It is definitely not too late to get a flu shot to be better protected throughout the rest of the flu season, as flu viruses continue to circulate in the community.”

A new avian influenza variant also has infected cows in Nevada, which is a concern because of its ability to spread to humans and other mammals. Nolen said the state health department’s information is incomplete due to the limits that have been placed on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ability to communicate with outside agencies.

“Based on the publicly available data, this is a new introduction of the bird virus into cows. While it appears that this strain also causes mild illness in cows, it is concerning that this virus continues to jump from birds to mammals,” Nolen said. “It is hard to know if this specific strain will mutate enough to start spreading to humans, but we now know that we should expect continued jumps between birds and other animals. This gives the virus opportunities to mutate and adapt to mammals which makes it more possible it could eventually cause significant infections in humans.”

On Monday, the CDC announced that a new strain of bird flu virus had been detected in a Nevada dairy worker. And on Thursday, the agency published a study examining virus rates among veterinarians.

Nolen said if anyone owns backyard flocks or other farm animals and thinks their animals might be sick, it’s important to contact the Utah State Veterinarian’s Office at 801-982-2235.

“Avoid direct contact with sick or dead animals, their feces or litter, or any surface or water source that might be contaminated with their bodily fluids,” Nolen said.

In addition, Nolen said it’s important to wear appropriate protective equipment when in close physical contact with sick birds, livestock or other animals; carcasses; feces; litter; raw milk; or areas, surfaces and water that might be contaminated with animal excretions from potentially infected animals.

“As best as possible, avoid stirring up dust, animal waste, and feathers to prevent viruses from dispersing into the air,” she said.

Nolen also said it’s still fine to feed birds in your yard, but the health department recommends not coming into contact with the birds. Use work gloves when changing the food in a bird feeder or touching areas that birds that landed on, and make sure to wash your hands afterward.

And there’s a new virus called Camp Hill that has been spotted in Alabama. The virus is known to typically infect bats and short-tailed shrews but also poses a risk to humans and other mammals. The virus causes severe respiratory illness and the brain infection encephalitis, according to a paper published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“Unfortunately, we have very limited information on this virus because of the limitations on the CDC’s ability to communicate with outside agencies,” Nolen said. “I can only see what is published in a recent scientific report and online. The information in those places does not make me think this is an urgent threat, but without additional insight from the CDC or other federal partners, it is difficult to be confident.”

Nolen said the virus hasn’t been detected in Utah, and while some people have speculated another pandemic, she said the state health department isn’t highly concerned at this time.

“However, we have taken and continue to take many actions to be prepared for whatever pathogen emerges and threatens the health of Utahns,” she said. “We learned a lot during COVID-19 and made a number of adjustments in our plans and procedures that will serve us well if we do happen to have another pandemic.”

A pathogen that is spread through the air is the most concerning type of infection, Nolen said. If a pathogen emerges that is spread in this way, it would require the same precautions as during flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) season, which include staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes with your elbow and washing hands often, including any time you handle used tissues.