The avian influenza virus may become capable of transmitting from person to person. WHO experts expressed concern about the possibility of bird flu spreading among people Public Health
The global spread of avian influenza virus among mammals, including humans, poses a major public health problem. This was stated on Thursday by representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), announcing new measures to combat airborne diseases.
WHO chief scientist Jeremy Farrar said the bird flu virus, also known as H5N1, has an extremely high mortality rate. This is evidenced by the case histories of several hundred people who have contracted the infection to date. At the same time, not a single case of human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus has been reported.
“H5M1 is an influenza infection that has primarily emerged among poultry and ducks. It has been spreading rapidly over the past two years and has become a global zoonotic pandemic,” Dr Farrar said at a briefing in Geneva. – Of great concern is the fact that, by infecting ducks and chickens, and now increasingly mammals, this virus is evolving and acquiring the ability to infect people. Then, which is very dangerous, it can acquire the ability to be transmitted from person to person.”
The Mystery of the Pandemic
Commenting on the ongoing outbreak of the H5N1 virus among dairy cows in the United States, a senior WHO official called on health authorities to closely monitor and investigate the incident.
“We don’t yet know what drives the spread of infection,” Dr. Farrar said. – Perhaps the cow milking machines are to blame. Or the environment in which they live. Or the virus is spreading across the country thanks to the transport system. We must make sure that if H5N1 were to spread from person to person, we would be able to respond immediately by ensuring equal access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.”
WHO announced updated wording for airborne pathogens to enhance international cooperation in the event of a new global pandemic.
Global cooperation
WHO consulted with four major public health agencies from Africa, China, Europe and the United States before announcing agreement on a set of agreed upon new terms. Specifically, it was decided to use the term “infectious respiratory particles” or “IRP.”
“A very important first step has been taken,” Dr. Farrar said. “The next step is to bring together the efforts of all specialists and experts.” at the stage “that is necessary”. He also noted that regional and country offices, as well as health authorities around the world, do not have the capacity to diagnose H5N1.