A combined infection of bird flu and human flu could lead to the creation of new viruses that pose a significant public health risk, according to health agencies.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned Americans, especially those at high risk such as farmworkers, to get the flu vaccine this season. Although it only prevents seasonal flu, the CDC believes it can reduce the prevalence and severity of seasonal flu and potentially prevent coinfection with both bird flu and human flu.
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza A(H5N1), is similar to some versions of human flu, such as influenza A(H1N1) and A(H3N2). These variants all use protein components called hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N).
If a bird flu virus and a human flu virus infect the same cell, it could potentially create a new virus with a different combination of genes. This could result in a significant public health concern, as the new virus may be transmissible among humans but unknown to our current immune systems.
Public health officials and scientists are worried about this possible mutation, which could lead to a pandemic situation if left unchecked. However, the CDC maintains that the risk to public health is low due to the fact that no bird flu infections have been passed from one person to another.
Currently, there have been 66 confirmed human cases of bird flu in the US, with seven probable infections reported. The CDC advises Americans to take precautions to reduce their exposure to both bird flu and human flu.
As experts warn of this potential risk, it’s essential for individuals to be aware of the warning signs and symptoms of bird flu and take necessary steps to protect themselves.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/bird-flu-warning-virus-mutation-public-health-2008528