UK Confirms Human Case of Bird Flu A(H5N1) After Direct Exposure to Infected Birds | Totally Vegan Buzz

UK Confirms Human Case of Bird Flu A(H5N1) After Direct Exposure to Infected Birds

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A “rare” human case of bird flu has been confirmed in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced on Monday.

The UKHSA reported that an individual in the West Midlands contracted the A(H5N1) strain after prolonged exposure to infected birds on a farm.

The infected individual is currently being treated in a High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) unit and is reportedly “well,” the UKHSA said in a statement. The agency noted that the birds were infected with the DI.2 genotype, which differs from the variants circulating among mammals and birds in the US. “The risk of avian flu to the general public remains very low despite this confirmed case,” said Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA. The last confirmed human case of bird flu in England was in 2022.

Just days before the announcement, the UK Chief Veterinary Officer implemented an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across all of England, starting at noon on Saturday, January 25. This measure mandates enhanced biosecurity for keepers to reduce the risk of further outbreaks. Similar measures have also been introduced in other parts of England, with Shropshire, located in the West Midlands, placed under an AIPZ. The new restrictions require all bird owners—whether backyard keepers or industrial farms—to house their animals. These measures were also implemented in Yorkshire, Suffolk, and Lincolnshire.

The culling and disposal of one million egg-laying birds at a farm near Wem, following the Shropshire outbreak, is ongoing.

Although bird flu remains rare in humans, cases have been increasing. Since 2021, only seven human infections have been recorded in the UK and Europe, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission. However, the situation in the United States is more concerning, with 66 confirmed cases, including one fatality, primarily among dairy farm workers. Globally, more than 950 human cases of bird flu have been reported to the World Health Organization, with approximately half resulting in death. The virus has already spread to cows in multiple states, raising fears that it could evolve into a more transmissible form.

Despite the current low risk, experts warn that continued exposure to the virus increases the potential for mutations, which could make it more transmissible among humans. As a result, ongoing vigilance and preventive measures remain essential.

Read more: USA Reports First Death From H5N1 Bird Flu As Virus Claims Life In Louisiana

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