Bird Flu: First case of human transmission of H5N1 detected in India; all you need to know

Just as report of first human death from bird flu or avian influenza was reported in India, authorities have stepped up ir vigil. This is after an 11-year-old boy from Haryana, who was infected with H5N1 virus, which is also called 'avian influenza' died on Monday in AIIMS, Delhi. This is  first case of H5N1 being found in humans in India. 

What is an Avian Influenza?

Avian influenza, or “bird flu” or “avian flu” is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. se flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry viruses in ir intestines, but usually do t get sick from m. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens and ducks, very sick and kill m. detailed information about clinical diagsis of disease is available on official site of ICAR – National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases.

As per officials, H5N1 virus was first detected in India in 2006 and since n has seriously disrupted functioning of poultry industry, but never transferred to humans.

What are Bird Flu symptoms in Humans?

Dr Rajesh Chawla, Sr Consultant Pulmology & Critical Care, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, told ANI that avian influenza symptoms are nasal discharge, sneezing & body ache and y do result in respiratory failure. He also mentioned that human transmission of virus that is usually detected in birds is rare and can be seen in children and young ults mostly. 

How can a person contract avian flu virus?

 As of w, best way to prevent infection with avian influenza is to avoid sources of exposure to  H5N1 virus. A human can catch virus from infected birds who can shed virus through ir saliva, mucous and faeces. virus gets into a person’s eyes, se or mouth, or is inhaled. This can happen when virus is in air (in droplets or possibly dust) and a person breas comes in its contact. 

first case of Human H5N1 Influenza  

After detection of human transfer of H5N1 virus, as a precautionary measure, a team from National Centre for Disease Control has been sent to boy’s vill in Haryana to check for more H5N1 cases and trace his contacts. boy who got mitted to AIIMS, Delhi on July 2 with pneumonia and leukaemia symptoms, was first tested for COVID-19 and came out negative, and later it was discovered that he was infected with H5N1 virus. Several thousands of wild birds were found de and tens of thousands of poultry were culled after a massive spre of bird flu cases was observed across different states of India this year. 

Im: PTI