WHO calls for monitoring the spread of bird flu among people

WHO calls for monitoring the spread of bird flu among peopleAFP

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized that The spread of the H5N1 avian influenza virus variant to species other than birds, including mammals and humans, is alarming. and that this evolution must be closely monitored. “I think this is a huge problem.”

This was stated by WHO chief scientist Jeremy Farrar at a meeting with reporters.

At the moment, There is no evidence that this virus is transmitted between people, a possibility that has scientists concerned.

On the other hand, it was confirmed that H5N1 has a very high mortality rate. among people infected through close contact with infected birds, in the vast majority of cases. WHO recently confirmed a human case of H5N1 avian influenza in Texas, USA, where a man was infected by suspected infected cows, although in this case the symptoms he showed were mild.

This was the second human infection reported in the US and the fourth in the Americas, with the last previous case reported in Chile in March 2023. Another episode involving the H5N1 variant was reported in Antarctica, where dead infected birds were found, raising alarm among conservation and environmental groups.