Rising Human Deaths from Bird Flu Prompt Urgent Need for Monitoring and Genome Sequencing: Experts
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Synopsis
Public health experts express alarm over recent human fatalities linked to H5N1 bird flu in the US and Cambodia, advocating for enhanced monitoring and genome sequencing to track the virus and prevent further spread.
Key Takeaways
- Recent human deaths from H5N1 are alarming.
- Monitoring and genome sequencing are crucial.
- No evidence of human-to-human transmission reported.
- H5N1 shows potential to mutate and adapt to humans.
- Precautions are necessary for those handling poultry.
New Delhi, Jan 16 (NationPress) The recent fatalities among humans in the US and Cambodia attributed to H5N1 bird flu are indeed alarming, prompting experts in public health to advocate for enhanced monitoring and genome sequencing measures, as stated on Thursday.
This month, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first-ever human death in the country due to severe avian influenza A(H5N1) illness.
Shortly after, health officials in Cambodia also reported a death linked to H5N1.
Rajeev Jayadevan, Chairman of the Kerala State IMA Research Cell, expressed to IANS, “These recent fatalities due to bird flu among humans are troubling.”
He emphasized the critical need for monitoring and genome sequencing to effectively track the virus.
As of now, there have been 66 verified cases of H5N1 bird flu in the US since 2024 and a total of 67 since 2022. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has documented over 950 instances of H5N1.
Fortunately, experts noted that the CDC has found no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
“It is undeniable that human infection with the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A, H5N1 virus, which predominantly causes bird flu, has a significant potential for severe respiratory illness and a mortality rate exceeding 50 percent among approximately 1,000 human cases worldwide. The most reassuring aspect is the extreme rarity of human-to-human transmission,” stated Dr. Ishwar Gilada, an epidemiologist from a hospital in Mumbai.
In recent years, H5N1 has shown a notable rise in spillover to mammals, resulting in a record number of bird deaths and affecting various species such as otters, sea lions, minks, foxes, dolphins, and seals. In 2024, individuals working on dairy farms contracted the virus from infected cattle, raising further concerns about the virus's spread.
Recently, Maharashtra reported India's inaugural case of bird flu in other animals. Three tigers and one leopard succumbed to avian influenza at an animal rescue center in Nagpur. However, Jayadevan clarified that the “newly reported human fatalities from bird flu did not occur through contact with cattle.”
“Instead, the virus appears to have directly transmitted from poultry to humans, resulting in severe illness or death. These instances arose from individuals handling chickens infected with the virus. The concern lies in the observation that when examining the virus in humans and comparing it with that found in poultry farms, the virus had already undergone new mutations. This indicates the virus's potential to quickly adapt to human cells,” the expert elaborated.
“The positive news is that these mutations have yet to enable the virus to spread among individuals. We hope that such instances remain sporadic, preventing a pandemic,” Jayadevan added.
To monitor these alterations, adequate tracking and genome sequencing are essential, according to experts, who advise those handling poultry to adhere to strict safety measures. “Monitoring viruses, genome sequencing, knowledge sharing, and ongoing research and development on vaccines, treatments, and prevention guidelines during outbreaks are all vital steps that must be maintained,” Gilada concluded.
