from last October, cases bird flu (H5N1 virus) Worldwide. They made sacrifices during these months. 100 million poultry In different countries, ” triple more than was sacrificed in the previous season,” he warns. Matilda Canelles Immunologist and researcher at the Scientific Research High Council (CSIC). “Anxiety is on the rise” definite. This WHO guarantees for now risk of human outbreak “low”but calls not to let your guard down because mortality 50% in humans.
The bird flu virus H5N1, mainly birds, this much wild like pen. But now” alarmsbecause they were observed “many cases in mammals”. Recorded in Spain 2022 37 bird flu outbreaks In poultry, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. But in addition to this we must add other cases. wild and captive birds. one in October epidemic in a mink farm from Carral (A Coruña). and one worker someone’s Guadalajara chicken farm tested positive for bird flu that month, but it is unknown whether “asymptomatic” anyone “I have a virus in my nose”, Canelles says. This Friday, alarms went off at a turkey farm in Arbeca, Lleida. epidemic in turkeys.
Which concerns of this epidemic which at some point jumps to a person. “This is what rang all the alarm bells: in the USA more than 200 cases in mammals like bears or sea lions. And when it’s very contagious in mammals, there’s always a danger of splashing to humans, but It’s something that hasn’t happened yet.” explains this immunologist.
The epidemic that emerged in the mink farm in Galicia, Spain, once again brought this disease to the agenda of the health authorities. This Public Health Commission recently published a intervention and action document against bird flu, among other measures dual tracking system for anyone exposed to infected poultry and mink on a farm, including personal protective equipment (epis), as well as the displays Increases detection of asymptomatic patients.
infections among minks
has always been loose human cases (mostly farm workers) have contracted bird flu. Cañelles, in recent years, number of infections was decreasing, so it is thought that The H5N1 virus “does not spread so easily” to humans. But now, many mammals are getting infected arouses fear. “Especially because they’re infected minks, which one looks a lot like ferret Used as poppies lab model flu because its immune system very similar to people”, Explains the CSIC researcher.
What is currently being investigated is in case the epidemic breaks out galician farm, has been “inter-mink transmission” or if they really took it from being inside contact with birds or for food contaminated food. But it’s a bit difficult to investigate because when a bird flu epidemic occurred (and this happened in Galicia) “All Animals Killed” because the virus can “spread a lot”.
Canelles calls “follow closely” this epidemic and explores mink farms. “We’re interested in knowing that. mammals if they can snatch or catch it from a bird catch each other [de esto último aún no hay evidencia]. They have been seen to be in contact with infected birds so far, but precautions need to be taken. search well” says.
Not the flu A or B
human flu A lighter and vaccines are given annually. It is mild or more serious in birds, depending on the species, but always when passed on to humans. So serious”. Bird flu has died 50% in humans. “If we’re not worried any more, it’s because We had a pandemic” says Canelles.
According to this world Health Organization (Who risk for human bird flu still “low”. “H5N1 has spread among poultry and wild birds. 25 years”, The CEO said on Wednesday: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Who qualifies recent reports of infections in mink, otters and sea lions? “Must be followed closely”.