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Johnson County Public Health reports wastewater H5 detection, urges seasonal flu vaccinations and cautions against raw milk
Summary
Public Health reported detection of H5 in local wastewater, described the surveillance context and outreach to dairy workers, and emphasized seasonal flu vaccination and avoidance of raw milk to reduce reassortment risk; Dr. Melanie Wellington urged residents to "Go get a flu vaccine right now."
Johnson County Public Health briefed the Board of Supervisors on wastewater surveillance that detected H5 influenza RNA in a local wastewater treatment plant and explained how state and federal partners are monitoring the situation.
Public Health described the detection as one signal among surveillance systems that triggers follow-up with the state (Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology and the state hygienic lab) and local wastewater partners. Officials cautioned that wastewater signals can reflect several sources — human shedding, agricultural runoff or other inputs — and that the technology and interpretation are still evolving.
Public Health said targeted outreach funding is being used to encourage seasonal influenza vaccination among dairy-farm workers and other high-risk groups and that the department is partnering with Washington County and trusted health providers to reach Amish communities and others.
Dr. Melanie Wellington, a pediatric infectious-disease specialist and member of the Johnson County Board of Health, explained viral reassortment risks when an avian and a human influenza virus co-infect a cell and urged vaccination: "Go get a flu vaccine right now," she said. Public Health also warned against drinking raw milk, saying it increases the risk of exposure to animal influenza.
County staff said there was no evidence of human-to-human H5N1 spread in Johnson County at the time of the briefing but that surveillance and coordination with state and federal partners would continue. The board received the update and asked questions about reporting, supply-chain impacts and potential increases in egg or poultry prices if outbreaks reduce herd sizes.
