New bird flu case has scientists worried about two genetic mutations
What is Bird Flu?
The 53-year-old man came down with a sore throat, hoarseness and a cough, before being diagnosed with bird flu. The Chilean’s symptoms worsened during March 2023; admitted to the hospital, the man was sent to the intensive care unit. Treated with antiviral medicines and antibiotics, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported he is still being monitored at the hospital.
When tested, the laboratory results revealed two concerning mutations in the viral infection.
It comes just weeks after 40,000 poultry were culled in central Chile, The Sun reported.
Despite the new mutations, the current threat to people remains low, the CDC confirmed.
At present, there is no evidence that the mutated virus has spread to other people or has the ability to evade medicines and vaccines.
READ MORE: How turkey could be triggering your painful gout attack ‘within hours’, expert warns
The newspaper stated that scientific experts are now urging the Government to create a new bird flu vaccine.
Bird flu
The NHS explains bird flu is an “infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds”.
In “rare cases”, bird flu can affect humans, with certain strains being reported as concerning. These are:
- H5N1 (since 1997)
- H7N9 (since 2013)
- H5N6 (since 2014)
- H5N8 (since 2016).
Don’t miss…
Weather warning for hay fever sufferers as pollen bomb hits the UK[LATEST]
Many people could be suffering from a hidden bowel condition – signs[SYMPTOMS]
British woman’s symptoms of dengu fever that she caught[CASE STUDY]
The NHS says: “H5N1, H7N9 and H5N6 don’t infect people easily and aren’t usually spread from human to human.
“[However] several people have been infected around the world, leading to a number of deaths.”
H5N8 and H5N1 bird flu has been found in some poultry, other captive birds, and wild birds within the UK.
How can bird flu spread?
Bird flu can spread by close contact with an infected bird, whether it’s dead or alive.
READ MORE: Pat Boone shares five tips for living a long, happy and healthy life
This includes touching infected birds, touching droppings or bedding, or killing or preparing infected poultry for cooking.
If a person is infected with bird flu, the main symptoms might include:
- A very high temperature or feeling hot or shivery
- Aching muscles
- Headache
- A cough or shortness of breath
- Diarrhoea
- Sickness
- Stomach pain
- Chest pain
- Bleeding from the nose and gums
- Conjunctivitis.
Symptoms typically appear up to five days following the original infection.
Treatment includes anti-viral medication that may help to reduce the severity of symptoms.
If you suspect bird flu in poultry or other captive birds, the NHS stresses: “You must report it immediately by calling:
- 03000 200 301 if you’re in England
- 03003 038 268 if you’re in Wales
- APHA Field Services if you’re in Scotland.”
Signs a bird may be infected include:
- Sudden death
- Swollen head
- Closed and runny eyes.
Source: Read Full Article
