“We are getting dangerously close to this virus potentially causing a pandemic,” Dr Suresh Kuchipudi, a prominent bird flu researcher in Pittsburgh, warned during a recent briefing that H5N1 flu can cause a pandemic due to its ability to infect a wide range of mammals, including humans.“We are not really talking about a virus that is yet to make a jump, we are talking about a virus that is globally present, already infecting a range of mammals and is circulating… It is really high time that we are prepared,” Dr Kuchipudi said during the briefing, as cited by media reports.
Bird flu became a serious concern when a man from Texas got the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, from dairy cows presumed to be infected with the virus. The EU’s Food Safety Agency (EFSA) warned on Wednesday of a large-scale bird flu pandemic if the virus becomes transmissible between people as humans lack immunity against the virus.
Of the 887 cases of human infection with H5N1 avian influenza, as per the records of the World Health Organisation (WHO), between January 2003 and February this year, 462 were fatal. Wild mammals could act as bridge hosts between wild birds, domestic animals and humans, EFSA said. Companion animals, such as cats living in households and with access to the outdoors, could also be a potential vehicle for transmission, it added.
H5N1 flu, also known as avian influenza or bird flu, is a subtype of influenza A virus that primarily affects birds. While it typically circulates among poultry, H5N1 can infect humans and other mammals, posing a potential threat to public health. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected birds or their droppings, as well as through contaminated surfaces or environments. H5N1 flu in humans can lead to severe respiratory illness, with symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The mortality rate of H5N1 infection in humans is relatively high, making it a concern for global health authorities.
To stay safe from H5N1 flu, individuals should:
- Avoid contact with sick or dead birds and their droppings.
- Cook poultry products thoroughly to kill the virus.
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water.
- Wear personal protective equipment when handling sick or dead birds.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Follow proper respiratory hygiene by covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Stay informed about H5N1 outbreaks and follow public health recommendations.
- Seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness after potential exposure to H5N1 virus,
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