As we still remember the COVID pandemic, an interesting case of H5-type bird flu has emerged in the United States. As you know, bird flu is typically transmitted from animal to animal or from animal to human through contact with infected animals. However, in Missouri, USA, there may be a case of a person contracting bird flu without any contact with birds.
Is it possible to contract bird flu without contact with birds?
About 20 years ago, in 2005, the first bird flu case was recorded. Initially spreading among animals and not typically affecting humans, the disease was first seen in humans in 2005. It mainly spread to people who had contact with infected animals or consumed infected animals, but it didn’t turn into a pandemic.
However, the case from Missouri suggests that, for the first time, a bird flu virus has managed to spread from human to human. According to information from the patient, the person had no contact with birds. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services confirmed that the person was infected with an influenza A virus, and further tests revealed that the patient had contracted the H5 strain of bird flu.
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Initial information suggests that the patient had no contact with birds. The patient has been discharged and recovered while investigations are still ongoing. Researchers are now investigating whether this virus is the H5N1 strain, which is commonly found among dairy cows.
So far, no evidence has surfaced indicating the patient had any contact with birds. If it is confirmed that bird flu has spread from human to human, this would be the first case of such transmission. Until now, governments have controlled bird flu outbreaks by culling infected birds to prevent the disease from spreading to humans.
However, if the virus can spread from human to human, this could increase the transmission rate and raise concerns about a potential pandemic. Currently, there is no vaccine for bird flu, just as there wasn’t initially for COVID. Experts also warn that existing flu vaccines do not provide full protection against bird flu.
Experts continue to study the case to determine if bird flu can indeed spread from human to human. While the situation is significant, experts believe there is no need for panic over bird flu at this time.
Do you think human-to-human transmission of bird flu could be real? Share your thoughts and comments with us.
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