UpLifting Wellness: On COVID Variants, “Tranq,” Avian Flu in Cattle and Public Health Funding

by Samantha Anne Carrillo

FLiRT Variant to Dominate Summer

During the winter months, COVID-19’s JN.1 variant was prevalent but the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced on May 10 that there’s a new variant in town. According to that CDC data, the KP.2 variant now represents 28 percent of all new COVID infections in the United States, up from only 6 percent in April. Some scientists describe KP.2 and less prevalent variant KP.1.1 as “FLiRT” variants in reference to their amino acid changes. Both variants descend from JN.1 and the omicron lineage, as do all coronavirus variants that have dominated over the past two years. Research into the effectiveness of current COVID-19 vaccines on the KP.2 variant is ongoing and health experts predict a mild summer uptick in KP.2 and overall COVID infections. Staying current on COVID-19 vaccinations and exercising common-sense precautions—like washing hands frequently and masking up in crowded public spaces—remains the best defense against COVID-19 this summer. Learn more about and schedule your next COVID vaccine or booster shot at vaccine.doh.nm.gov.

NM DOH Finds “Tranq” in State Fentanyl Supply

At the end of April, the New Mexico Department of Health confirmed the presence of xylazine in fentanyl samples tested through the state’s Adulterant Checking Program. Xylazine a.k.a. “tranq” is a non-opioid CNS depressant that is commonplace in veterinary medicine and which has not been approved for use in humans. According to the state health department, Xylazine has been frequently identified as an ingredient in heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl within the eastern half of the United States, but this is the first time it has been officially detected in New Mexico. Xylazine causes disorientation, drowsiness, sedation, and slurred speech in humans. It can also cause flesh wounds at or away from injection sites or via inhalation. Management of Xylazine wounds—which can become life-threatening—is possible by cleansing wounds with soap and water and keeping them safely bandaged. The state health department is working to make Xylazine testing strips available at harm reduction sites, including Public Health Offices and community led programs statewide. Learn more about harm reduction in New Mexico at nmharmreduction.org.

Avian Influenza IDed in New Mexico Cattle

In early May, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle here in New Mexico, as well as in Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Texas. According to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, detection of avian influenza in birds is common in the United States during spring and fall because of the seasonal migration of wild birds. Avian influenza is uncommon in dairy cows but USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has tracked HPAI in mammals for a number of years, which has prepared American dairy farmers and veterinarians to be on the lookout for the illness’ eventual emergence. As a precaution, the New Mexico Department of Health Public Information Office David Morgan said, “Raw milk that has not been pasteurized may present a higher risk of HPAI and other virus/bacteria transmission. People should avoid consuming raw milk or raw cheeses.” Learn more about HPAI in dairy cattle at bit.ly/dairyhpainm.

Public Health School Project Loses Millions in Funding

In late April, Source New Mexico reported that the UNM Health Sciences Center has missed two deadlines to request state funding to establish an accredited school of public health to deal with infectious disease pandemics. In “Missed deadlines lead to $11.5M veto, upending plans for UNM public health school,” reporter Austin Fisher writes: “The lapse means the UNM Health Sciences Center will not receive $11.5 million for the school, placing in limbo any recent progress to establish the program. This includes potentially losing some of the 21 people hired as faculty since 2022, state Sen. Martin Hickey (D-Albuquerque) said Thursday during a tense exchange with the state’s top higher education official. … While there is a College of Population Health at the University of New Mexico, it is not an accredited school of public health, according to the agency responsible for evaluating schools of public health in the U.S.” To learn more, read the Source NM article in its entirety at bit.ly/snmpublichealth.