First Severe Case Of Avian Influenza Reported; What Should Humans Look Out For? (image @Pixabay)
Washington, DC, US: America has reported the first case of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu. The reporting marked a significant development in the ongoing outbreak of the disease. It is marked as a significant global health threat of the year 2024. As per the United Nations, the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain has “spilt over into wildlife,” infecting over 500 bird species and at least 70 mammalian species.
A 65-year-old resident of Louisiana is currently hospitalised in critical condition after exposure to an infected backyard flock. This is the first case of severely infected humans in the country, said the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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H5N1 virus has now established its presence in 108 countries across five continents, impacting even endangered species like the California condor and polar bears. It was also spotted in Gentoo and King penguins in Antarctica in January this year.
Despite the alarming development in the spreading of the disease, the CDC said that the overall risk to public health remains low. While the influenza primarily affects birds, humans can be infected through directed contact with infected animals or contaminated surfaces, said the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The virus is highly contagious and spreads through saliva, mucus, and faeces of birds. The disease becomes airborne in environments like barns where litter and feathers are disturbed. Human beings working in farms and handling backyard flocks are at higher risk. The virus’s ability to mutate and adapt has made it a significant zoonotic threat, capable of infecting humans under certain conditions. Scientists identified mutations that could enable the virus to bind more effectively to human respiratory systems.
The CDC instructed that the “best way to protect yourself from bird flu is to avoid sources of exposure.” The measures include wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as goggles, gloves, and N95 masks when taking care of potentially infected animals.
Symptoms in humans:
Symptoms of the influenza in humans range from mild to severe fever, eye redness, sore throat, shortness of breath, fatigue, and muscle aches. In severe cases, the symptoms progress to pneumonia. Conjunctivitis has been a prominent symptom among farm workers, possibly due to the similarity between human eye tissues and bird respiratory systems in terms of viral receptor compatibility.
As per the report, raw milk poses additional risks in the spreading of the disease, as the virus is capable of surviving in refrigerated milk for up to five days. Pasteurisation effectively eliminates the virus, but raw milk consumption remains a concern due to its association with other pathogens like E. coli and salmonella.
Also Read: WHO Confirms Human Case Of Bird Flu In India
Since March this year, bird flu has surged among dairy cattle and poultry. This marks the first time the virus has been detected in dairy herds in the United States. Of the 61 human cases confirmed nationwide, 37 were linked to dairy cattle, including 33 cases in California.
Globally, the virus has significant implications for both public health and agriculture. It has led to the culling of millions of poultry to contain outbreaks. Since the US outbreak began in 2022, over 123 million birds have died or been culled due to the virus.
Vaccines for poultry are being developed and deployed in several countries. However, human vaccines are still in experimental stages.
