“This is the first human case of H5N1 bird flu in Australia. The case occurred in a child who contracted the infection in India and was unwell in March 2024. The bird flu virus was detected through additional testing of positive influenza samples that was carried out to detect new or concerning strains of the influenza virus, as part of Victoria’s enhanced surveillance system Contact tracing. identified no other cases of avian influenza linked to this case,” the Victorian Department of Health said in an official statement.
“There is currently a global outbreak of bird flu in birds and animals. Bird flu does not usually infect humans, but in rare cases human infection can occur. The recently reported case in Victoria involved a returned child from overseas to Australia in March 2024. The child suffered a serious infection but is no longer ill and has made a full recovery,” he also said.
Australia is the only continent where animals have so far remained free of the H5N1 bird flu virus, but authorities announced on Wednesday that another strain of highly pathogenic bird flu had been detected on an egg farm near Melbourne. “Transmission to humans is very rare, with a small number of human cases of H5N1 reported worldwide, resulting in death in a number of cases. This is the first confirmed human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Australia, and the first time that H5N1 “The strain has been detected in a person or animal in Australia,” the Ministry of Health said.
What is the H5N1 virus?The H5N1 virus, also known as avian influenza or bird flu, is a highly pathogenic strain of influenza virus that primarily infects birds. First identified in humans in 1997, it can occasionally be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. The H5N1 virus is of concern because of its high mortality rate in humans and its potential to cause serious respiratory illnesses. Although human-to-human transmission is rare, there are concerns that the virus could mutate to allow easier spread between humans, which would pose a significant pandemic threat. Preventative measures include surveillance and control of disease outbreaks in poultry populations.
Symptoms to Watch Out for Symptoms of H5N1 infection in humans can range from mild to severe and often resemble those of other types of flu. The first symptoms usually appear within 2 to 8 days after exposure and include high fever (over 100.4°F or 38°C), cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. As the disease progresses, serious respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and pneumonia may develop. Gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting are also common.
In severe cases, infection can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiorgan failure, and septic shock. Neurological symptoms, including altered mental status and seizures, have been reported in some cases. The high mortality rate associated with H5N1 makes early detection and treatment essential.
News Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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