After a person in Russia became infected with the H5N8 bird flu virus in February, now in China, a person has contracted the H10N3 subtype. None of these flu viruses had previously been known to be able to infect humans. In both cases, the evolution of the disease was easy, and medical experts consider these cases extremely rare. However, cases of infection have highlighted how quickly viruses can spread from animals to humans.
Especially bird flu is now repeated in regular waves. In addition to Asia, Europe is also affected, where in the autumn of last year, when migrating birds were moving, there were repeated cases of infection on breeding farms. Cases of H5N8 have been reported in Belgium and the Netherlands, in Corsica, as well as in Denmark and Germany. In Corsica, hundreds of chickens were killed and in Denmark, authorities ordered the slaughter of more than 25,000 birds in mid-November.
Migratory birds suspected of infecting domestic sisters with highly contagious flu virus
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In Germany, bird flu has been detected in a poultry farmer in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. About a hundred thousand animals were killed to fight the disease. Among birds, the disease is highly contagious. Here are the most important questions and answers about this virus:
What is bird flu?
Avian influenza is a highly contagious disease for poultry. According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), the disease is generally fatal, especially in turkeys and chickens. Also known as bird plague, the disease is caused by various strains of the flu virus.
What do H and N mean?
There are three types of influenza viruses: A, B, and C. The flu that usually occurs in humans is caused by type A and B viruses, while bird flu that occurs worldwide is caused by type A pathogens.
Viruses contain proteins on their surface that are designated by the abbreviations H (hemagglutinin) and N (neuraminidase). There are 16 H subtypes and nine N subtypes. Depending on the combination of these substances in the virus envelope, names such as H5N8 or H10N3 appear. Waterfowl are natural hosts of these viruses.
However, these birds are immune to the disease. In chickens, turkeys and geese, viruses of subtypes H5 and H7 undergo mutations in highly contagious forms, which are the true pathogens of bird flu. The H5N8 virus, which has now appeared in Europe, was previously known in Asia.
How does the disease reach Europe?
Iran: Cute ducklings, but possibly contagious
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In Europe, bird flu is nothing new. The first known outbreak of the H5N8 virus has appeared in Ireland since 1983. The very aggressive variant of today’s bird flu – which has now been detected in wild birds – first appeared in China in 2013 and in South Korea in 2014. From there, it spread to Europe and North America through wild birds. Biologists attribute the current appearance of the virus to the annual migratory flight of birds, which gathers hundreds of thousands of birds together in certain areas.
Can the virus be transmitted to humans?
According to the Federal Office for Risk Assessment, although the current form of H5N8 bird flu is “very difficult” to transmit to humans, the virus could mutate and become contagious. Current cases show that, although viruses are not considered highly contagious, the danger is not just theoretical.
Threatened by a very high risk are other flocks of poultry, which must be kept indoors during current outbreaks to prevent contact with wild birds. In 2003, an epidemic broke out in Southeast Asia with another highly contagious bird flu virus, H5N1. It has killed more than 400 people worldwide.
How can the virus be transmitted to humans?
Birds killed in China because of the flu
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In particular, people who are in direct contact with infected animals may be particularly at risk of contracting the avian influenza virus, which is transmitted mainly by inhalation of dust particles or contaminated droplets. But it is possible that bird flu can also be transmitted through the mucous membranes. The more dangerous H5N1 variant can be transmitted from person to person.
Can I still eat eggs for breakfast or roast turkey?
Consumers must cook poultry well, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture recommends. Those who follow this advice need not worry. Hard boiled eggs are also safe. According to BfR, the bird flu virus is “sensitive to high temperatures” and cannot withstand a temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius. If you want to be completely safe, you should avoid products that contain raw eggs, such as tiramisu.
How else can consumers be protected?
In areas where bird flu has been detected, people should avoid contact with wild birds. Special caution is advised in the case of dead animals. In countries where bird flu is widespread, the Federal Office recommends that travelers “necessarily” avoid bird markets or poultry farms.
When handling poultry products, consumers should pay special attention to hygiene, storing meat separately from other foods. Consumers who want to avoid meat or eggs from regions affected by bird flu can check the series on the packaging to identify where the products come from.
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