Bird Flu H5N1 Spreads to Foxes

In the US, four red baby foxes died due to the devastating bird flu H5N1 detected in wild mammals. Highly pathogenic avian influenza is highly contagious.

In the United States, four red baby foxes died due to the devastating bird flu H5N1 detected in wild mammals.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed that three red fox kits died from highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Avian Influenza / Bird Flu-Causes-Symptoms-Treatment- FAQs
Bird flu (avian influenza/avian flu) is a disease caused by an influenza virus (H5N1) that primarily affects birds but can infect humans also.

‘Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a virus known to affect birds and is highly contagious.’

Earlier, Minnesota officials announced a fox kit in their state had died of the virus.

Bird Flu in Animals

Besides affecting poultry, this viral strain also affects waterfowl, raptors, and scavengers (like turkey, vultures, eagles, and crows).

"Wild animals can sometimes transmit diseases to humans, and while we typically think of rabies or other well-known diseases as the primary concerns, this shows that there are other risks to keep in mind as well," said Dr. Joni Scheftel, state public health veterinarian with the Minnesota Department of Health, in a statement.

"The best advice is to avoid contact with wildlife that appear sick or injured and contact your healthcare provider if you are bitten or have another close contact with wildlife," he added.

First Human Case of Bird Flu Reported in United States
The first known human case of H5 bird flu in a person has been reported in Colorado, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced.

According to Michigan officials, the fox kits in the state exhibited neurologic signs of HPAI before death. The kits were observed circling, tremoring, and seizing.

Two of the three died within hours of intake, while one appeared to respond to supportive therapy but then died in care.

Human Cases of Bird Flu Detected in China
Two new human cases of bird flu have been detected in China. A 68-year-old man from Sichuan Province and a 55-year-old woman from Zhejiang provinces, were found to have the virus.

Interestingly, an additional kit that was a sibling of the Macomb County kit did survive but developed blindness, making her non-releasable, the officials said.

The virus was detected in swabs collected from the nose, mouth, throat, and brain tissue of all three kits, and a full postmortem examination was conducted to aid in learning more about this disease in foxes.

Human Case of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Reported in UK
In the South West of England, a person has contracted avian influenza. Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a type of influenza that spreads among birds.

Last week, two red fox kits in Ontario, Canada also tested positive for HPAI. Those kits were the first reported cases of the current HPAI outbreak in a wild mammal in North America.

Although the virus mainly affects birds, it occasionally jumps to humans, especially those in close contact with poultry, and the death rate is as high as 50 percent.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (or OIE) said it had seen a significant increase in reports with various subtypes — including H5N1, H5N6, //and H5N8 — found in over 40 countries.

In April, a man in Colorado became the first to test positive for bird flu in the US, but suffered only ’very mild’ symptoms.

Earlier this year, China reported two human cases of bird flu H5N6 in a 68-year-old man from Sichuan Province and a 55-year-old woman from Zhejiang province. The Hong Kong Health department, in a statement, said that the two people are in a "critical condition" in hospital after contracting H5N6 avian influenza.

A rare human case of bird flu was also detected in a person living in the South West of England, UK.

Source-IANS