A “very uncommon” case of hen flu has been detected in an individual dwelling in southwest England, the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) has introduced.
The particular person turned contaminated after “very shut, common contact with numerous contaminated birds, which they stored in and round their house over a protracted time period”, UKHSA stated.
All of their contacts have been traced and there’s no proof that others have change into contaminated. Officers stated the person was “presently effectively and self-isolating”, and the World Well being Organisation has been notified.
Chook to human transmission of hen flu – also referred to as avian flu – is uncommon and has solely occurred a small variety of occasions within the UK, with the danger described as “low”. Nonetheless the general public is being urged to not contact sick or useless birds.
The an infection was recognized by what the UKHSA stated was “routine monitoring”, which is performed on anybody who has shut contact with contaminated birds. The contaminated birds have all been culled.
Specialists have to date been unable to verify that the pressure is H5N1; that which is presently circulating in birds within the UK.
Professor Isabel Oliver, chief scientific officer on the UKHSA, stated: “Whereas the danger of avian flu to most of the people may be very low, we all know that some strains do have the potential to unfold to people and that’s why now we have sturdy programs in place to detect these early and take motion.
“At present there isn’t any proof that this pressure detected within the UK can unfold from individual to individual, however we all know that viruses evolve on a regular basis and we proceed to observe the scenario intently.
“We have now adopted up all of this particular person’s contacts and haven’t recognized any onward unfold. It stays crucial that individuals don’t contact sick or useless birds, and that they comply with the Defra recommendation about reporting.”
The UK’s chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, stated: “Whereas avian influenza is extremely contagious in birds, it is a very uncommon occasion and may be very particular to the circumstances on this premises.
“We took swift motion to restrict the unfold of the illness on the website in query, all contaminated birds have been humanely culled, and cleaning and disinfection of the premises is underway. It is a reminder that stringent cleanliness when holding animals is vital.
“We’re seeing a rising variety of circumstances in birds on each business farms and in yard flocks throughout the nation. Implementing scrupulous biosecurity measures will assist hold your birds secure.”
Final month the UK’s chief vet warned of a “phenomenal degree” of hen flu within the nation following the culling of tens of 1000’s of farmed birds.
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone was declared throughout the UK on 3 November earlier than being prolonged on 29 November with the added requirement all captive birds needed to be stored indoors, amid issues that wild birds migrating from mainland Europe in the course of the winter are carrying the illness.
There have been dozens of contaminated premises within the UK, Ms Middlemiss stated.
Prof Ian Jones, virologist on the College of Studying, stated there was no want for public alarm and no danger to meals security. He stated: “Switch of avian flu to folks is uncommon because it requires direct contact between an contaminated, normally useless, hen and the person involved.
“It’s a danger for the handlers who’re charged with the disposal of carcasses after an outbreak however the virus doesn’t unfold usually and poses little menace. It doesn’t behave just like the seasonal flu we’re used to.
“Regardless of the present heightened concern round viruses there isn’t any danger to hen meat or eggs and no want for public alarm.”
Prof Mike Tildesley, professor in infectious illness modelling on the College of Warwick, concurred that was no “vital public well being danger” from the most recent an infection. He stated: “That is clearly going to be large information however the important thing factor is that human infections with H5N1 are actually uncommon they usually virtually at all times happen on account of direct, long run contact with poultry.
“There has by no means been any proof of sustained human to human transmission of H5N1 so at current I wouldn’t think about this to be a major public well being danger.”
Kaynak: briturkish.com
