Recent news reported that the US received the first case of bird flu causing human infection. Bird flu, also referred to as avian influenza, is an infection caused by the avian influenza Type A viruses. Infected birds can spread the virus to other birds and, very rarely, to humans, through their saliva, mucous, or feces. The virus can reach humans through water or dust particles containing the virus that may enter the eye, nose, or mouth. Bird flu infections in humans are uncommon and show various infection types from mild symptoms to severe pneumonia. Working in areas with infected birds without wearing protective equipment like gloves, masks, and eye protection can increase the risk of flu infection.
H5N1 is one of the virus subtypes that has previously caused infections in people worldwide. In 2003, the virus spread to people in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East primarily through long-term exposure to the virus in spaces with sick birds.
Since the beginning of this year, there has been an increase in the spread of the H5N1 virus among chicken and turkey flocks in the US.
Image Source: Peter Garrard Beck
On April 28, 2022, a case of bird flu infection appeared in Colorado with a person working closely with sick poultry. The infected patient experienced fatigue for a short period and was immediately isolated from others to prevent the spread of the virus. H5N1 viruses that caused the infection to the individual have been transmitted among wild birds in 34 states, but, despite the new infection case report, the risk to humans remains low because spread to humans is rare. According to the CDC, a hopeful sign about the current H5N1 virus is that it has mutations, which were not present in H5N1 viruses in the past, that do not allow it to spread as easily among poultry and to humans.
Actions that the CDC recommends to prevent infection are to stay away from ill or dead wild birds, eat fully cooked and properly cleaned poultry, and wear protective equipment when near birds. While the seasonal flu shot will not protect against the bird flu, the CDC encourages people to get the shot to avoid infection from other flu strains. Although the risk of getting infected with the avian flu virus is low, being aware of these precautions is important to prevent the spread of the virus to humans because viruses continue to mutate and gain new mechanisms that may change the current state of the virus in the population.
Featured Image Source: David
