Alert in Russia: Bird flu detected on farms can mutate and be transmitted between humans

Russia alerted this Friday that bird flu detected three weeks ago in seven russian farmers can mutate and the likelihood of it starting to spread from person to person is “very high”.

“The likelihood of that happening is very high. Most likely it is, but we were able to anticipate before the harm happened “Russia’s health official said, Anna popova, to the local press agency TASS.

Popova indicated that there is still time to prepare, develop a vaccine and test the viral strain, the appearance of which in humans was alerted on February 20.

“If in the end they aren’t needed, then that would be in luck. But in case they are needed, we are already ready “, he warned, while stressing that Russia believes it is important to alert the international community to the existence of this threat.

The World Health Organization (WHO) asked last February precaution against the seven cases of influenza A (H5N8) of which she had been informed by the Russian authorities.

Those infected were workers at a poultry farm located in the Russian province of Astrakhan, where in early December 2020 100,000 of the 900,000 laying hens died, According to WHO.

The farm stopped all production and distribution once cases were detected while the experts located 150 people who were in contact with infected workers, none of whom showed symptoms.

During this time, those affected suffered mild form of infection and recover quickly, according to the authorities.

Early WHO estimates suggest that humans are likely to be infected with H5N8 influenza “is too short”.

In 2020, cases of avian influenza were also recorded Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Egypt, Germany, Hungary, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Romania and United Kingdom.

The Geneva-based WHO has recommended that those traveling to countries where there have been cases of this type of flu, “They should avoid farms, contact with live animals in markets, areas where animals are slaughtered or surfaces where feces remain.”.

(With information from EFE)

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