Jakarta –
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with Cambodian authorities after two human cases of H5N1 bird flu, found in a family in the country. One of them was an 11-year-old girl who died.
Director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, Dr Sylvie Briand, called the situation of the recent increase in cases in birds and mammals worrying. According to him, WHO is currently reviewing the global risk assessment related to the latest developments in bird flu case findings.
However, the WHO assess, the risk of bird flu disease in humans is still low at the beginning of this month.
On Thursday (23/2/2023), Cambodian authorities reported the death of an 11-year-old girl due to H5N1 infection. The girl fell ill on February 16 and was rushed to a hospital in the capital Phnom Penh, with symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat.
Authorities then tested 12 contacts and found that the girl’s father showed similar symptoms and tested positive for the H5N1 virus.
“The global situation for H5N1 is concerning given the widespread spread of the virus in birds around the world and increasing reported cases in mammals including humans,” Briand said, quoted by Reuters, Saturday (25/2).
“WHO takes the risks from this virus seriously and urges the utmost vigilance from all countries,” he continued.
Briand said it was not yet clear whether there was human-to-human transmission of H5N1. His party is still focusing on cases in Cambodia to see if the two cases were caused by the same environmental conditions, or transmission from close contact with infected poultry or other animals.
A new strain of H5N1, clade 2.3.4.4b, appeared in 2020 and has led to record numbers of deaths in both wild and domestic fowl in recent months. The virus has also infected mammals, raising global concern.
WHO stressed, will increase preparedness efforts. He stated, there are antivirals and 20 licensed pandemic vaccines if the current situation changes. However, the vaccine still has to be updated to make it more compatible with the H5N1 strain that is currently circulating.
WHO-affiliated laboratories already have two strains of flu virus closely related to the H5N1 virus circulating. This type is used by manufacturers to develop new vaccines if needed. This week’s global meeting of flu experts suggested the development of another type of vaccine that is more compatible with the H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b.
Watch Video “WHO Warning after H5N1 Avian Flu Infection Appears in Mammals“
(vyp/vyp)
