INCREASED RISK OF HUMAN INFECTION DUE TO A RISE IN BIRD FLU CASES

In New Delhi: The World Health Organisation has cautioned that the current spike in bird flu infections among mammals may facilitate the virus's easier spread among humans.

Avian influenza viruses typically propagate among birds, but when more H5N1 cases are discovered in mammals, which are biologically closer to humans than birds, there is concern that the virus may have adapted to make people more susceptible to infection.

The WHO stated in a statement on Wednesday that some mammals may also serve as mixing bowls for influenza viruses, which might result in the formation of novel viruses that are more dangerous to both humans and animals.

With only 8 cases recorded since December 2021, sporadic influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus detections in humans have also been reported, but they are still extremely rare.

Human infections can result in serious illness with a high fatality rate. According to the report, the human cases that have been found so far are usually associated with close contact with diseased birds and contaminated settings.

According to the information now available, the virus does not seem to be easily transmissible from one person to another, but Sylvie Briand, Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, WHO, warned that this could change as the virus evolves.

All nations are urged to improve their capacity to track these viruses and find any human instances. According to Briand, this is particularly crucial because the virus is currently impacting nations with little history of avian flu surveillance.

The virus is being studied to see if it has undergone any mutations that could make it easier for mammals, including humans, to contract it.