Two groups of investigators have shed light on the clinical understanding of North American patients infected with H5N1 avian influenza, a highly contagious and deadly virus.
A Canadian teenager contracted the severe infection after being exposed to an undetermined source. The 13-year-old girl had high viral loads and showed mutations in her lower-airway sample, suggesting potential links to enhanced virulence and human adaptation. Despite receiving treatment, she required ECMO support for several days before recovering.
In contrast, US patients who contracted H5N1 avian influenza after exposure to dairy cattle or poultry experienced mild illnesses and were rarely hospitalized. The majority of these cases were treated with oseltamivir, a standard antiviral medication.
However, experts warn that the virus’s mutations may be more significant than initially thought, as genomic sequencing from animals often lacks metadata, making it challenging to track its spread. They emphasize the need for longer antiviral therapy and improved preparedness strategies, including better personal protective equipment use among occupational health workers.
The ongoing outbreaks in dairy cattle and poultry highlight the growing concern over H5N1 avian influenza transmission to humans. As experts continue to study the virus, it is essential to monitor its mutations and develop effective countermeasures to prevent further spread.
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/new-reports-sharpen-clinical-picture-recent-human-h5n1-illnesses-us-and