WHO warns of ‘alarming’ avian influenza infections in mammals

Director, Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness (EPP), World Health Organization (WHO) Maria Van Kerkhove, regarding avian flu, assured that although at present “attention is focused primarily on the United States,” there are “global epizootic” (that is, a disease affecting one or more species of animals due to a common and transient cause and equivalent to an epidemic in humans), with an “alarming” situation in which they see each other infections in new species such as marine or terrestrial mammals., other than wild or domestic birds. This disease He is responsible for the death of millions of birds across the planet.but this is the first time it has been reported in livestock.

“We need much stricter animal control around the world.” not just in the US, looking at species that we know can be affected. Prevention is key in the animal, human and animal-to-human sectors,” said Dr Van Kerkhove during the EPI-WIN webinar “Public health risk associated with avian influenza A(H5N1) recently identified in dairy cattle” , which took place this Monday. reports ep.

In this sense, the technical man in charge of the global avian influenza program, Dr. Aspen Hammondexplained that In early 2024, “an unexplained illness in dairy cattle occurred that caused a drop in milk production in the United States,” an event that “was actually the discovery of H5N1 avian influenza in cow’s milk.”

“The H5N1 virus has also been detected in other animals near the affected dairy herds, and we have heard reports of infections found in nearby cats and raccoons, wild and domestic birds. It is reported that There is a very high H5N1 viral load in the milk of sick cows, which contrasts with the low viral load in nasal swabs taken from these cows.. “There have also been reports that asymptomatic cows have tested positive for H5N1 and that H5N1 has also been detected in the lungs of a cow at the slaughterhouse that was asymptomatic,” Dr Hammond said.

Besides, Infections have occurred between cows in the same herd, as well as between dairies associated with the movement of cattle within the United States.. “It is suspected that cow-to-cow transmission is probably mechanical, but again this is one area that is being explored and a lot of work is being done to understand how the virus is transmitted to, from and between cows.” , he noted.

Avian influenza virus infection in humans can cause illness ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infection to more severe illness and can be fatal.. “Non-respiratory symptoms have been reported in some cases. Conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal symptoms, encephalitis and encephalopathy have also been reported in previous human infections with the A(H5N1) virus,” Dr. Hammond said.

However, the expert emphasized that Current epidemiological and virological evidence suggests that “influenza A(H5) viruses have not acquired the ability to be transmitted persistently between humans, so the likelihood of infection is low.”. Thus, experts recalled that H5N1 avian influenza “is not limited to the United States, but emerged in 1996 and has been endemic or spread throughout the world since 2002,” but that “this is the first time it has been observed in the United States.” cows.”

In this context, WHO Director of Nutrition Standards and Scientific Advice, Dr. Moez Sanaarecommended “Do not consume raw milk, eggs or meat, especially in areas where there have been outbreaks of influenza on farms.”and also “consume pasteurized or properly boiled milk,” that is, “do not consume raw milk.”