The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised Sri Lanka to remain vigilant following recent detections of avian influenza, or bird flu, in humans in neighboring countries such as India, reports the Daily Mirror.
Avian influenza is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses that primarily affect birds but can also infect other animals and humans. Various strains of influenza viruses can cause the disease, with the H5 subtype being particularly significant due to its potential for severe outbreaks.
Key avian influenza strains include H5, H7, H9, and H10, with notable human-infecting strains being H5N1, H5N8 (rarely), H7N9, H7N2, H7N3, H7N7, H9N2, and H10N8. H5N1 and H7N9 are particularly severe, causing high mortality, while H9N2 and H10N8 typically cause milder illness. Continuous surveillance is crucial due to the potential for these viruses to mutate and cause pandemics.
Recently, India reported a case of human infection with the avian influenza A(H9N2) virus in a child from West Bengal, marking only the second reported case of H9N2 in humans in India, with the first occurring in 2019. The child had exposure to poultry and has since recovered.
Additionally, in May 2024, Australia confirmed its first human case of bird flu, specifically the H5N1 strain, in a child who had recently traveled from India. In the United States, three human cases of H5N1 bird flu were reported in 2024, all linked to dairy cows in Texas and Michigan. These cases resulted from direct animal-to-human transmission, with no evidence of human-to-human spread.
Commenting on the situation, Consultant Virologist at the Medical Research Institute (MRI) Dr. Jude Jayamaha emphasized the significant concern posed by various strains of avian influenza due to their potential to mutate and adapt to new hosts, including humans. “In light of the global scenario, Sri Lanka has developed the capacity to detect H9, H7 & H5 bird flu cases in humans. Furthermore, the routine influenza surveillance in sentinel site hospitals is capable of detecting any suspected case of bird flu in humans,” he pointed out.
Dr. Jayamaha further explained that birds shed the virus in their saliva, mucus, and feces, and consequently, people or animals with close, unprotected contact with infected birds or contaminated environments can become infected.
Source – dailymirror.lk
