Is it possible to spread bird flu between people?

Until now, one thing that was certain is that the bird flu virus It was transmitted through direct contact with already infected animals. Now, this statement is questioned and doubted. The appearance of different characteristic symptoms of this pathology in seven American people has set off all the alarms, while the number of infected animals in the United States increases. The situation worries the international community, which is trying to take measures against a possible increase in infections.

weeks ago, USA detected a first patient infected with H5N1 avian flu without having been in direct contact with any infected animal. After the appearance of the affected person, seven people who had been in contact with him began to have symptoms of the virus that has already claimed the lives of 463 people around the worldwith a fatality rate of 52%.

No trace of the virus

Despite suffering some of the symptoms, none of the seven affected have been able to confirm the presence of the virus. Most of them are healthcare people, although it is important to put the data in context: a total of 94 people They were in contact with the patient – even without a mask – and have not been harmed. Thus, the probability of H5N1 bird flu being transmitted between people is considered low.

While the origin of these infections and outbreaksthe official information remains the same: the virus is capable of infecting birds and mammals, responsible for spreading it to those people who have close contact with them. Furthermore, a recent experiment focuses on the dairy cattleand talks about the most frequent way of contagion of the virus: the moment of milking. The automated system of farms and their machinery could be responsible for spreading the virus and causing greater and faster contagion.

While some experts call for calm, many others are concerned about the appearance of the ‘Missouri patient’ -who initially presented chest pain, vomiting and diarrhea-, the first person infected by the virus who has not had direct contact with any animal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not publish any information that clarifies the situation, and the scientists They talk about the need to take this “crisis more seriously.”

Europe is also affected

The problem does not remain in the United States, but spreads to Europe and worries the international community. The appearance of the virus in cattle has been one of the signals that has set off all the alarms. The virus has already been detected in fur farms of the European continent, and could become permanent – as well as in the US, where it already affects 14 states-.

Given the increase in infections and the recent threat, the European Commission has acquired 665,000 doses of the H5N1 vaccinewith the option to obtain up to 40 million additional doses. For now, these vaccines would be intended for the most exposed workers, farmers and veterinarians.