The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a statement following an incident in which a human was infected with avian influenza from a cow.Millions of birds are reported to have been killed in the UK and US to stop the spread of the virus. express.
A statement released on Tuesday said: “The patient developed symptoms on March 27 and had a history of contact with dairy cows (cows) presumed to be infected with influenza A (H5N1) virus. “This is the first human infection with influenza A (H5N1).” The second confirmed case of influenza A(H5N1) in humans, acquired through contact with infected cattle, has been detected. [USA]. No additional cases related to human infection with influenza A(H5N1) have been identified.
“Based on the available information, WHO assesses that the public health risk posed by this virus to the general population is low, as this virus has not acquired mutations that would facilitate human transmission. The risk of infection for occupationally exposed people is considered to be low to moderate.
“WHO assesses that the public health risk posed by this virus to the general population is low, and the risk of infection for occupationally exposed people is considered to be low to moderate.”
Influenza researcher Dr. Suresh Kuchipudi warned at a White House briefing this week that the H5N1 virus appears to be fatal to about half of those infected. Speaking at the White House, Dr. Muchipudi said, “This virus has been at the top of the pandemic list for years, probably decades. And now we are at risk of this virus having the potential to cause a pandemic.” It’s getting closer.
“The H5N1 virus has already demonstrated some key characteristics of a potential pandemic virus, this virus is already distributed worldwide, and this virus, especially recognized as an avian virus, has a wide range of It shows that it can and has the ability to infect mammalian hosts, including humans.”
He added: “We’re not really talking about a virus that isn’t circulating yet; we’re talking about a virus that exists all over the world and is already infecting and circulating in a variety of mammals. So, in my view, I think this is the virus that has the greatest threat of a pandemic. [that is] It is visibly active and present all over the world. Now is the time for us to prepare. ”
He warned that the virus’s mortality rate was “100 times worse than before.” coronavirus “We can only hope” that the rate of infection may decrease or that it may “mutate and maintain a high fatality rate.” daily star.
Last week, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Mandy Cohen said the agency was “monitoring the situation very closely.” Experts are keeping an eye on the infected man and cow, fearing the virus could mutate.
Cohen told NPR: COVID In our experience, viruses change and we need to stay ahead of them. So we at the CDC and the entire U.S. government are taking this very seriously and are monitoring the situation closely. ”
In 2022, a man in Devon contracted bird flu after coming into contact with ducks and was forced to isolate at home.
