The primary human dying linked to fowl flu has been reported in the US, well being authorities in Louisiana introduced Monday, whereas noting the affected person had underlying medical situations.
The affected person, aged over 65, had been hospitalized for a respiratory ailment, and was the primary severe case of human an infection of the H5N1 virus to be detected in the US.
‘Threat of Human-to-Human Transmission Low’
The announcement in mid-December of the affected person being in “crucial situation” sparked alarm that the US may see an outbreak of a doable fowl flu pandemic, with comparable instances reported worldwide.
“The affected person contracted H5N1 after publicity to a mix of a non-commercial yard flock and wild birds,” the Louisiana Division of Well being stated in a press release.
Regardless of this dying, the general public well being threat posed by fowl flu stays “low”, the assertion stated, including that it had detected no human-to-human transmission.
Excessive Threat Areas Flagged
“Whereas the present public well being threat for most people stays low, individuals who work with birds, poultry or cows, or have leisure publicity to them, are at greater threat,” it warned.
Genetic sequencing has proven that the H5N1 virus that contaminated the Louisiana affected person was totally different from the model of the virus detected in lots of dairy herds and poultry farms across the nation.
About H5N1 Virus Inflicting Fowl Flu
H5N1 was first detected in 1996, however since 2020, the variety of outbreaks amongst fowl flocks has exploded, whereas a rising variety of mammal species have been affected.
Specialists are involved {that a} excessive circulation of the virus in mammals may result in mutations that make it extra simply unfold amongst people.
Disclaimer: This story has been revealed from a wire company feed with out modifications to the textual content.
