Bird influenza, also known as classical fowl plague, avian typhus, or fowl cholera, is an acute infectious viral disease that affects birds. This is a dangerous disease that primarily damages the digestive and respiratory organs. Its mortality rate is more than 55%. For a long time, the disease did not threaten people in any way, and led to the death of exclusively poultry. But a few years ago, the virus began to spread and infect mammals. Now the first case of human infection with bird flu has been recorded in the United States, and not from poultry, as happened previously, but from domestic animals — infected dairy cows.
The first case of human infection with bird flu from cows has been recorded in the United States
Animals and people become infected with bird flu
First of all, we note that the term “bird flu” itself summarizes a number of diseases caused by influenza viruses that infect birds. These viruses have some features that prevent it from spreading among people. However, the deadliest strain, H5N1, has long since begun infecting mammals. It also spreads among wild animals, even such as polar bears.
Moreover, cases of fatal infection of people have long been known. In 2023, a 56-year-old woman died from bird flu. Even earlier, cases of severe illness were known. However, all people became infected with the virus directly from birds, since the virus was not transmitted from person to person or from animal to person. Now, the Biological Threat Research Laboratory (BTRL) at Texas Tech University has recorded the first case of a human being infected with an avian influenza virus from a mammal.
Until recently, all cases of human infection with avian influenza were caused by contact with poultry
Since avian influenza has only recently begun to be transmitted to livestock (it was first reported in the United States in 2022), we can conclude that the virus is evolving and is getting closer and closer to people. However, no cases of human-to-human transmission of the virus have yet been recorded.
Bird flu is transmitted from animals to humans
The first case of human infection from a pet is described in the New England Journal of Medicine. In late March 2024, a farm worker reportedly sought medical attention complaining of redness and discomfort in his right eye. He had no contact with birds, but worked with cows, and some of them showed signs of illness.
The study showed that the man was infected with bird flu. However, there is good news — The virus manifested itself only in the form of inflammation of the eye. The respiratory tract was not affected. This means that the probability of transmission from person to person, although there is, is very small. In addition, the virus is mild, at least in farm workers.
The influenza virus is prone to rapid mutation
Why is bird flu dangerous for humans
This is only the second human case of avian influenza in the United States, and the first case of transmission of the virus from a mammal to humans. However, we cannot say that there is no threat. The fact is that every time a virus enters the human body, it has a greater chance of adapting and mutating to ultimately become even more infectious and dangerous. In addition, influenza viruses are known for their tendency to mutate quickly.
The virus that was found in the body of a farm worker had a change (PB2 E627K). It was this mutation that allowed him to adapt to the body of mammals. This mutation has previously been found in other animals and people infected with the H5N1 virus. It is currently known that influenza infects animals such as foxes, bears, domestic cats, seals, sea lions, etc. Most likely, this list will continue to expand.
Domestic cats also become infected with bird flu
If the virus mutates, it could lead to another pandemic. Therefore, scientists
are currently working to minimize the ongoing spread of bird flu. Of course, it is necessary to control the spread of the disease among animals. According to the authors of the current study, it will give an even greater impetus to new work on studying the virus and developing ways to counter it.
Don't forget to subscribe to our Zen and Telegram channels so you don't miss the most interesting and incredible scientific discoveries !
Finally, let us remind you that scientists are already preparing for “Disease X,” which is 20 times more dangerous than COVID-19. To learn more about what it is and what the new disease may be, follow the link. It is possible that this virus will be a mutated bird flu.