WHO Urges More Research in Bird Flu H5N1
The WHO urges all countries to report influenza in animals and humans, and for countries to share samples and genetic sequences.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - The World Health Organization warned on Thursday about the risk to humans by the bird flu virus H5N1. It is thought that the research delaying will be complacent and could lead to a health compromised condition.
The WHO confirmed that the United States last week reported a fourth human case of H5N1 avian influenza following the exposure to the infected dairy cows. Yet, Cambodin reported two cases in children who had contact with infected and/or dead chickens.
The latest about human cases recorded in Europe beside the United States.
H5N1 emerged among dairy products from the cow herds in the U.S. So far, four cases of the infection recorded that believed to have jumped from cattle to people.
The Head of the UN Health Agency Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated "For the moment, no human to human transmission has been reported, which is why WHO continues to assess the risk to the general public as low,"
"However, our ability to assess and manage that risk is compromised by limited surveillance for influenza viruses in animals globally. Understanding how these viruses are spreading and changing in animals is essential for identifying any changes that might increase the risk of outbreaks in humans, or the potential for a pandemic." He added.
The WHO urged all countries to report influenza in animals and humans, and for countries to share samples and genetic sequences.
It also urged greater protection for farmers and workers who could be exposed to infected animals, and to expand research on bird flu.
Avian influenza (H5N1) first reported in 1996. It's understood that it was first detected in 2020, it increased in a number of infected mammals at the time.
It reported such virus strain led to millions of poultry deaths, including wild birds.
The WHO's head of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention Maria Van Kerkhove revealed that H5N1 was detected in 145 cattles in 12 U.S.A .states. She declared "I think that's only going to continue, given that we've seen some expanse of spread, given that we have some, limited sampling that's happening in dairy cattle, not just in the United States, but globally".