A new study on the first 46 confirmed human H5N1 infections in the United States has found that most cases were mild, but a Canadian teen’s severe case stands out due to its severity and mysterious source of exposure. The 13-year-old girl was hospitalized for almost two weeks with critical organ failure and spent time on life-support machines.
Experts say that the virus is adapting to humans, increasing the risk of human-to-human transmission. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an average duration of illness of four days, but notes that the official number of cases may be an undercount. Recent testing found 7% of dairy farm workers had evidence of recent H5N1 infection in their blood.
The World Health Organization cautions that bird flu is a significant threat to human health, and surveillance must improve to track the virus’s spread. Experts call for better cooperation between animal and human disease investigators, development of countermeasures like vaccines and antiviral medication, and increased precautions to prevent infection. As the virus continues to evolve, experts warn that it poses a growing risk of human-to-human transmission.
In contrast to the 13-year-old girl’s severe case, most human H5N1 infections are mild, with symptoms such as eye redness, fevers, and respiratory issues. However, the increasing number of reported cases raises concerns about the potential for human-to-human transmission. The study highlights an urgent need for improved surveillance and assessment of the virus’s threat to humans.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/31/health/human-h5n1-bird-flu-cases/index.html