The first human to have become infected a strain of bird flu previously only seen in animals has died, officials have confirmed
A man has died after contracting a virus previously only found in animals, sparking fears of a new disease outbreak. The man was rushed to hospital earlier this month after he contracted a high fever, leading to confusion and breathing difficulties.
Shocked officials later diagnosed the patient with H5N5, a subtype of bird flu typically carried by ducks, geese and other wild birds. The Washington State Department of Health described the patient as being “older” and having “underlying health conditions.”
They also revealed that the man kept a “mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry” at his home in Grays Harbour County, in the southwest region of the US state. After testing the birds, officials found traces of avian influenza, meaning the patient likely contracted it at home from his own flock.
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H5N1, a more common strain of bird flu in the US but still considered rare, differs from H5N5 due to a protein on the virus’ surface. H5N1 has infected wild bird and domestic poultry since 2022. There have been 71 human cases of H5 bird flu recorded in the US since last year.
While most patients experienced mild symptoms, a tragic case from Louisiana resulted in death this past January. In contrast, the UK recorded 81 cases of bird flu.
Confirmed cases have been reported in Cumbria, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk as well as Scotland and Wales.
What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?
While regular flu and bird flu are different viruses, the symptoms overlap with those of regular flu, such as a headache, sore muscles, a cough, or high temperature. Patients can also develop pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome in more serious cases.
According to the UK Government, red, sore and discharging eyes have been common amongst people who have had the infection.
In the UK, there have been seven confirmed infections in people since 2021, all amongst people who have had prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds.
Dr Robert Murphy, a professor of infectious diseases and biomedical engineering at Northwestern University, told the Metro: “We have to (worry) because it could be another pandemic. It definitely could be.”
While the name can mislead people into believing that the infection only affects birds, this is incorrect, and humans and other animals can be infected. If a person is infected, they should self-isolate and be treated with antiviral medicine such as Tamiflu and Relenza
Symptoms of bird flu in avians include a swollen head, blue discoloration around the neck and throat plus breathing problems. People are advised not to touch or pick up any dead or sick birds.
However, bird flu has caused no symptoms or only mild symptoms among people who have become infected in the UK. People needed to be tested in order to confirm whether they’re suffering from regular flu or bird flu Dr Murphy warns that it is “a kind of virus that mutates very easily and frequently”.
