Bird flu numbers are ‘unprecedented.’ Here’s what experts say about the risk to humans – National | 24CA News
The present world avian influenza (AI) outbreak has been “unprecedented,” however the threat of contracting the virus remains to be low for most people, in line with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada.
“Millions of birds have been affected worldwide, including more than 7.2 million in Canada,” the CFIA advised Global News in an e-mail Thursday, including that outbreaks are occurring within the United States and different nations all over the world.
Avian influenza, often known as chook flu, usually spreads amongst all kinds of chook species each home and wild. The virus can generally unfold from chook to human, as was the case in Cambodia, the place an 11-year-old lady, who lived close to a conservation space, reportedly died from the virus.
Health officers mentioned earlier this week that the lady’s dying is the nation’s first identified human H5N1 an infection since 2014. Her father additionally examined optimistic however didn’t show any main signs.
The circumstances have raised issues that the virus may evolve to unfold extra simply between individuals, doubtlessly triggering a well being emergency. However, Health Canada mentioned in an electronic mail to Global News Thursday that “human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) is rare” and poses a low threat for most people who’ve restricted contact with contaminated animals.
Since 1997, there have been greater than 800 human circumstances of avian influenza A(H5N1) reported worldwide, largely occurring in Africa and Asia, Health Canada mentioned. The solely human case of chook flu reported in Canada was in early 2014,
The solely human case of chook flu in a human ever reported in Canada was in early 2014, the company famous, including that the deadly case occurred following a visit to China, the place it’s believed the particular person was contaminated.
“The predominant avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses now circulating globally among birds are different from earlier A(H5N1) viruses. Avian influenza viruses continually change, which can affect how easily the virus spreads from birds to other animals, including humans, and also how severe illness is,” the company added.
The CFIA additionally defined that human infections with avian influenza A(H5N1) are uncommon and largely happen after shut contact with contaminated birds or extremely contaminated environments comparable to poultry farms or stay chook markets.
“There is no evidence to suggest that eating thoroughly cooked poultry meat or eggs could transmit the avian influenza virus to humans,” the company mentioned.
It additionally went on to clarify that the virus is unfold by direct contact with stay diseased poultry or surfaces and objects contaminated by their feces.
As a outcome, hunters of conventional meals, like wild geese and duck, and the individuals who put together these meals could also be at a better threat, in line with Health Canada.
Read extra:
Why chook flu is at all times a ‘red flag’ — Canadian well being care consultants break it down
Read subsequent:
Exclusive: Widow’s 911 name earlier than James Smith Cree Nation murders reveals prior violence
To assist cut back any threat, the company recommends Canadians prepare dinner sport totally to an inside temperature of roughly 71 C (160 F), and keep away from direct contact with blood, feces and respiratory secretions of all wild birds.
It additionally recommends individuals to not eat, drink or smoke when cleansing wild sport birds and to put on dish gloves or latex gloves when dealing with or cleansing sport.
“There have been no known human cases of the virus in Canada associated with the current outbreak. Although human cases of HPAI H5N1 have been recorded in several countries, there has been no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission,” the CFIA mentioned.
Jonathan Ball, professor of molecular virology at England’s University of Nottingham, mentioned in an emailed assertion to The Associated Press that there’s at all times at all times a threat of human an infection though the chance is low.
“This virus keeps cropping up in various mammals and this could potentially increase the possibility of further human infections. The risk to humans is still very low, but it’s important that we continue to monitor circulation of flu in both bird and mammal populations and do everything we can to reduce the number of infections seen,” Ball mentioned.
The CFIA says it has been monitoring the state of affairs and has activated a response staff of consultants, together with veterinarians, and administrative and area employees, to co-ordinate motion with federal, provincial and municipal companions and industries to assist stop the unfold of the chook flu.
“The CFIA responds to the presence of H5N1 HPAI in small flocks, commercial and non-commercial farms with birds across Canada,” the company mentioned. “The response helps eliminate and prevent the spread of HPAI in poultry while minimizing the impact of the disease on Canadians and international trade.”
It does this via thorough cleansing, disinfection, depopulation and illness surveillance at contaminated premises, and by putting “movement controls, such as quarantining” on contaminated areas to stop the illness from spreading.
The CFIA mentioned it additionally imposes strict necessities on the import of animals and animal merchandise from nations the place avian influenza is thought to exist.
Amidst the present world outbreak of avian flu, the CFIA mentioned {that a} complete of 299 outbreaks have been confirmed in industrial and non-commercial flocks, with nearly 7.2 million birds affected in Canada. The poultry and egg business counts roughly 5,000 industrial producers throughout Canada. In 2022, Canadian poultry and egg producers raised greater than 790 million birds and produced over 803 million eggs for consumption.
— with information from The Associated Press and Global News
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
