Since November, the UK has been dealing with an unprecedented outbreak of bird flu. Hundreds of thousands of birds have already been slaughtered due to this viral disease spread by migratory birds from northern Russia and eastern Europe.
Human contamination was observed after an outbreak of the H5N1 avian influenza strain was detected among man birds. “The person became infected after close and regular contact with a large number of infected birds, which he kept in and around his home for a long period of time,” the authority said in a press release.
“All his contacts, including those who arrived at the scene, have been recovered, and there is no evidence that anyone else was injured,” he added.
The British agency also indicated that bird-to-human transmission of avian influenza is “extremely rare”. The service says it knows that certain tribes can be transferred to humans.
“This is why we have effective systems in place to quickly detect this infection and take action,” said Isabelle Oliver, UKHSA’s scientific director. “Currently there is no evidence that this strain can be transmitted from one person to another, but we are monitoring the situation closely,” he added.
Yesterday / Wednesday, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) remains concerned about the public health risks of bird flu. “Bird flu that is now spreading in Asia and Europe Greater risk of transmission to humans due to a large number of variables,” the OIE stated.
