H5N1 Bird Flu: A Rising Threat for Humans

H5N1 bird flu affects poultry, dairy herds, and humans in North America, with concerns over genetic shifts and global responses to prevent a pandemic.

Bird flu variant H5N1 avian influenza affected about 700 dairy herds on the US West Coast and North America between March and early December 2024 ().

Over 1,200 commercial and backyard poultry farms and hobbyist bird flocks have also been affected. At least two adults in the Midwestern state of Missouri, one child in California, and another in British Columbia in Canada have been infected by an unidentified source.

Swine Flu Risk Calculator
Find out the risks for contracting swine flu and take the necessary precautionary steps. Swine flu caused a pandemic in 2009 with several deaths reported worldwide.

‘H5N1 doesn’t spread between people but can transmit from animals to humans. #influenza #virus #pandemic #medindia ’

H5N1 Risks from Pigs and Milk

Some governments have bought the vaccine stocks as a precautionary measure in response to the circulating virus. It is reported that H5N1 has also been detected in a pig in the northwestern state of Oregon and raw cow’s milk in California. Over 60 people working near the infected cattle and poultry were also infected.

No human-to-human transmission case has been recorded. A single genetic change to the circulating H5N1 had made the transmission from mammals to humans. Infected pigs are more concerned as they are the mixing vessels for influenza virus outbreaks.

Influenza can exchange genetic information inside mammals and a dangerous pathogen could develop. Genetic shifts in the virus may make it easier to spread to humans.

Swine Flu | Swine Influenza | Hog Flu | Pig Flu
Swine flu, a type of influenza caused by a new strain of the H1N1 Type A influenza virus has originated from the pigs. Winter always brings along the chills and the flu, make sure you're safe this season.

Global H5N1 Response and Rising Threats

Other nations are increasing surveillance and precautionary measures. The UK government this week ordered five million doses of an H5 influenza vaccine. In November, one case of H5N1 was confirmed at a poultry farm in Cornwall, in the south-west of England.

A pandemic was declared due to H1N1 influenza in 2009, though its impact didn’t match that of COVID-19. It is important to get ready with preventive measures for H5N1. There is also a rise in Ebola and other filovirus.

Quiz on Flu
Influenza (or rather, the flu) is a cold weather infectious condition that affects the young and old alike. Though most reported cases are mild, the flu can sometimes cause severe and life-threatening complications in both children and adults, ...

Mosquitoes act as carriers and transmit viral infections like dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus infection in both southern Europe and the Southern United States. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said in a November 2024 report that it was continuing to monitor the US and Canadian situations “together with partner organizations in Europe and will continue to update its assessment of the risk for humans.

Reference:

H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation - (https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html)

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Source-Medindia