The health authorities in the United States confirmed this Thursday the first case of H5N1 avian influenza in the country, after the arrest of another in the United Kingdom.
The one in the USA corresponds to a prisoner less than 40 years old who worked on a commercial farm in Montrose County, Colorado.
This patient would have had direct contact with infected or slaughtered poultry infected with the virus.
“This is the second human case associated with this specific group of H5 viruses that are currently predominant, and the first case in the United States,” said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) said the man is recovering after experiencing fatigue. The inmate, who is currently kept in isolation, is being treated with the antiviral Tamiflu (Oseltamivir).
But does this case really represent a public health threat in the United States? The preliminary answer is no.
According to the CDC, although in severe cases avian flu can lead to death , usually do not infect people.
Cases of person-to-person infection are also not common.
“The spread of bird flu viruses from one infected person to a close contact is very rare, and when it does occur, it only spreads to a few people. However, because of the possibility that these viruses could change and acquire the ability to spread from person to person, monitoring infection in humans and from person to person is extremely important for public health,” the CDC explains on its website.
The CDC, attached to the Department of Health Federal, indicated that the symptoms in humans range from none to redness of the eyes and mild flu in the upper respiratory tract, or more severe, such as pneumonia with a fever of more than 100ºF, cough, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing.
Less common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and seizures .
How is the H5N1 bird flu virus transmitted?
Infected birds spread the virus through saliva, mucus or feces.
Infections and In humans, they occur when the virus enters the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth, or is inhaled. This occurs when the virus is in the air, specifically in drops or dust.
If the person touches a surface and then their mouth, eyes or nose, they could also get it.
100
“Human infections with avian influenza viruses have occurred mostly after unprotected contact with infected birds or surfaces contaminated with avian influenza viruses. However, some infections have been identified when there is no known direct contact with infected birds or their environment”, the CDC specifies.