UK Health Security Agency Confirms Human Infection of Avian Flu

The first human case of avian flu has reported in UK. Although there have been cases elsewhere globally, but the bird-to-human transmission is very rare.

The person who infected with this flu need to be very close and regular contact with a large number of infected birds in long term.

Avian flu or bird flu, is a type of influenza that attack birds. Increased the large number of outbreaks and incidents of this flu, make the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer give alerts to bird owners.

The human bird flu case was detected after APHA identified an H5N1 outbreak in their flock. The infection was founded after the routine monitoring that conducted to anyone who has close contact with infected birds. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) then swabbed this person and detected low levels of flu.

This procedure conduct to the highly precautionary to identifying and stopping the transmission of avian flu. The laboratory analysis showed that the virus was the ‘H5’ type, found in birds.

Traced to all contacts of the individual, including those who visited the premises, have been done. The evidence of onward spread of the infection has not found.

The people who infected by avian flu currently well and self-isolating. Although the risk of the human avian flu very low, people should be aware and not touch sick or dead birds.

Chief Scientific Officer at UKHSA, Professor Isabel Oliver, said “Although there is no evidence that the human-to-human infection through the strain detected in the UK, but we know that viruses mutation could be occur, so should be aware and continue to monitor the situation closely.”