[ad_1]
As avian influenza (hen flu) continues to spread amongst wild birds in the European Union, officers are warning of the potential for a future human pandemic.
On Wednesday, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued an alert noting that “transmission between bird and mammal species has been observed, particularly in fur animal farms, where outbreaks have been reported.”
Although it’s uncommon for contaminated birds to cross alongside the virus to humans, the company warned that new strains might pose a hazard in the long run.
BABY SLEEP DANGERS REVEALED IN NEW STUDY AS NEARLY 75% OF INFANT DEATHS WERE DUE TO CO-SLEEPING
“These viruses continue to evolve globally, and with the migration of wild birds, new strains carrying potential mutations for mammalian adaptation could be selected,” the alert said.
“If avian A (H5N1) influenza viruses acquire the ability to spread efficiently among humans, large‐scale transmission could occur due to the lack of immune defenses against H5 viruses in humans.”
As avian influenza (hen flu) continues to spread amongst wild birds in the European Union, officers are warning of the potential for a future human pandemic. (iStock)
In different phrases, humans don’t have immunity in opposition to hen flu — which suggests it might probably spread rapidly.
The flu has been discovered to spread between birds and mammals, the EFSA famous — “particularly in fur animal farms, where outbreaks have been reported.”
US TUBERCULOSIS CASES IN 2023 WERE AT HIGHEST LEVEL IN A DECADE, CDC SAYS
To forestall the danger of a hen flu pandemic, the company really helpful taking steps to restrict publicity and stop the spread to mammals and humans.
“Key options for actions include enhancing surveillance targeting humans and animals, ensuring access to rapid diagnostics, promoting collaboration between animal and human sectors, and implementing preventive measures resembling vaccination,” the EFSA wrote.
“People with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals (including livestock), or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at greater risk of infection.” (iStock)
“Effective communication to different involved target audiences should be emphasized, as well as strengthening veterinary infrastructure, enforcing biosecurity measures at farms, and reducing wildlife contact with domestic animals.”
The company additionally known as for “careful planning of poultry and fur animal farming,” notably in areas with giant numbers of waterfowl (aquatic birds like geese and geese).
Human instances in the U.S.
On Monday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) introduced that an individual in Texas examined optimistic for H5N1 hen flu.
“This person had exposure to dairy cattle in Texas presumed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) viruses,” the CDC’s assertion stated.
CDC WARNS OF INVASIVE BACTERIAL OUTBREAK AMID SPIKE IN CASES AND FATALITY RATES: ‘RARE BUT SEVERE’
“The patient reported eye redness (consistent with conjunctivitis), as their only symptom, and is recovering. The patient was told to isolate and is being treated with an antiviral drug for flu.”
The CDC stated that is the second case of a human testing optimistic for H5N1 in the United States, after a earlier case was noticed in Colorado in 2022.
“If avian A (H5N1) influenza viruses acquire the ability to spread efficiently among humans, large‐scale transmission could occur due to the lack of immune defenses against H5 viruses in humans,” the EFSA stated. (iStock)
“This infection does not change the H5N1 bird flu human health risk assessment for the U.S. general public, which CDC considers to be low,” it added.
“However, people with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals (including livestock), or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at greater risk of infection.”
“At present, it does not transmit readily from person to person.”
The CDC stated it’s “working with state health departments to continue to monitor workers who may have been in contact with infected or potentially infected birds/animals and test those people who develop symptoms.”
Human signs can vary from gentle (e.g., eye an infection, higher respiratory signs) to extreme sickness (e.g., pneumonia), in accordance to the CDC.
Infectious illnesses professional weighs in
Erica Susky, a Toronto-based medical microbiologist licensed in an infection management, stated she believes there’s typically “not a high risk” of human-to-human transmission, on condition that “the natural reservoir” of H5N1 and different strains of avian influenza is birds and never humans.
“Cases of H5N1 in humans usually occur in people who have had contact with birds (slaughter, de-feathering, butchering or preparing),” she advised Fox News Digital.
The EU company known as for “careful planning of poultry and fur animal farming,” notably in areas with giant numbers of waterfowl. (iStock)
While hen flu has a 60% fatality in humans, Susky famous, it not often happens.
“At present, it does not transmit readily from person to person,” she stated.
The main concern entails the influenza virus, she stated, which is “excellent at mutating and recombining.”
“If there are repeated contacts between species that are the natural reservoir for one type of influenza viral strain — like birds and H5N1 — and humans, the chances of this novel strain adapting to spread in this different species increases,” Susky advised Fox News Digital.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“As there are more cases of H5N1, there are more chances for a crossover event into humans.”
Some of the largest sources of spread, Susky stated, are industrial agriculture and fashionable cities, the place a virus like influenza can cross readily by means of human and hen populations.
“Currently, birds share influenza strains less often with humans, though that can change — it is how past influenza pandemics have arisen,” she stated.
On Monday of this week, the CDC introduced that an individual in Texas examined optimistic for H5N1 hen flu. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)
To forestall spread, Susky really helpful training correct an infection prevention methods, which is essential not just for hen flu, but in addition for seasonal influenza.
Those methods embody following correct and frequent hand hygiene earlier than making ready meals, consuming or touching one’s face, and after utilizing the washroom or coming in contact with animals.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Other mitigation methods embody receiving the annual influenza vaccine for many who qualify, and never going out amongst different folks whereas feeling unwell.
“The best way to minimize one’s risk of coming in contact with novel influenza strains is to avoid contact with birds and wild animals, if possible,” Susky added.
Greg Norman of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.
For extra Health articles, go to www.foxnews.com/well being.
[ad_2]
Source hyperlink