Human case of bird flu detected in the UK

Officials in the United Kingdom have confirmed that a human case of bird flu in the southwest of England.

This is an incredibly rare occurrence. Also, the person most likely got the virus after coming into close touch with a sick or dead bird.

According to experts, there is no sign of the virus spreading further. All of the person’s close contacts are under care.

The person is currently healthy and self-isolating, and the risk to the public is minimal.

Avian flu, often known as bird flu, is an influenza virus that infects birds. A substantial number of outbreaks and occurrences of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in birds are lately reported in the UK.

Bird flu transfer from person to person is extremely rare.

Some forms of bird flu can transmit from birds to humans. But this is extremely unusual and necessitates intimate, continuous contact.

Officials claim the affected person contracted the disease from  “very close, regular contact with a large number of infected birds, which they kept in and around their home over a prolonged period of time”.

The virus they acquired is the H5 variety found in birds. But it’s unclear; if it’s the same H5N1 strain that’s been generating recent outbreaks in poultry that had to be culled.

There have been examples of this strain elsewhere in the world. This is the first human case in the UK. The World Health Organization has been notified.

No need for public alarm

Prof Isabel Oliver, chief scientific officer at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “While the risk of avian flu to the general public is very low, we know that some strains do have the potential to spread to humans and that’s why we have robust systems in place to detect these early and take action.

“Currently there is no evidence that this strain detected in the UK can spread from person to person, but we know that viruses evolve all the time and we continue to monitor the situation closely.

“We have followed up all of this individual’s contacts and have not identified any onward spread.”

The UK’s chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: “We are seeing a growing number of cases in birds on both commercial farms and in backyard flocks across the country.

“We took swift action to limit the spread of the disease at the site in question, all infected birds have been humanely culled, and cleansing and disinfection of the premises is under way. This is a reminder that stringent cleanliness when keeping animals is important.”

Prof Ian Jones is a virus expert at the University of Reading. Jones stated that there is no risk to chicken meat or eggs. There is also no need for the public to be concerned.