H5N1 avian flu has been circulating around the world for several years and has eventually infected mammals. And humans too. The virus would now be just one mutation away from being able to pass from human to human. Are we headed for a pandemic?
Birds – domestic and wild -, seals, pigs, cowcowCats and humans have had something disturbing in common for the past few months. They are infected with the avian flu virus, codenamed H5N1. It began circulating quietly in China’s avian population in 1996. But since 2020, the number of outbreaks worldwide has multiplied. the birds A moverA mover Health measures to prevent this type of outbreak in farmed poultry and in general do not seem to be working this time. More than 300 million chickens were slaughtered. ButWorld Health OrganizationWorld Health Organization According to the Animal Health report, this virus has spread to about 80 countries.
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Milk from cows suffering from avian flu is particularly contaminated. You should avoid drinking raw milk. But scientists agree that industrial pasteurization, even if it can leave traces of inactivated viruses, eliminates the risk of contamination. However, provided the viral load in the milk is not too high. Now steps are being taken to prevent it. Therefore, milk treated in this way is safe to consume.
just recently, MammalsMammals Infected by contact with infected birds. Mammals that eat birds, first. Like seals. Then cows too. Hundreds of herds in America. And cats. Infection in cats after drinking cow’s milk. And finally, in pigs. A sign that the virus is mutating rapidly. All this raises the level of vigilance on the part of the authorities.
Confirmation of second case of avian flu in humans
Especially since cases have finally been reported in humans. Around sixty since the beginning of the year in the United States. Mild cases initially. In people in close contact with sick animals.
Is the avian flu virus transmitted from person to person?
But recently, more serious cases have been reported. In cats. But also in humans. And even humans who have not been exposed to infected animals. That’s what’s starting to worry scientists: whether the accumulation of mutations in avian flu viruses will lead to the emergence of strains more suited to human-to-human transmission, or different strains responsible for more severe cases.
Researchers from Scripps Research Institute (United States) performed genetic and structural analyzes of viruses found in dairy cows. And in magazines Sciencethey explain, can now be enough to create a single mutation. “Give Flu virusFlu virus H5N1 Extreme PathogenicPathogenic Of cladeclade 2.3.4.4b » transmission between humans. However, this would not necessarily be enough to trigger an epidemic. It would also require the virus to acquire mutations that would allow it to replicate more easily, for example. It can be caused by contact with human influenza virus.
To this day, experts on the issue still judge the risk to be low. They still point out that every chance we get to mutate an avian flu virus — so to speak, every infected person — potentially brings us closer to one. A global pandemicA global pandemic. An epidemic that can have serious consequences. For the moment, in the world, about half of the human avian flu cases in the last 20 years have been fatal!
Avian flu outbreaks: avoiding the worst
So health authorities are calling for increased vigilance. Measures have been taken to limit the risks. Health controls on farms were strengthened, particularly in the United States. Or even wearing workers’ protective gear while breastfeeding.
Let’s also remember that treatment and VaccinesVaccines already exists. Britain also ordered 5 million doses at the beginning of December.
And researchers have some advice to give us to protect ourselves in our daily lives. Do not drink raw milk. Do not give it to your pets either. Even keep our cats indoors – to avoid contact with birds – if cases of bird flu are reported in the area. Finally, don’t pick one the birdthe bird Wild in difficulty.
