LONDON, Feb 24 (Reuters) – The World Health Organization is working with Cambodian authorities after two confirmed cases of H5N1 bird flu were discovered in one Cambodian family.
Describing the situation as “worrying” due to the recent increase in cases in birds and mammals, Dr Sylvie Briand, head of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, noted in a virtual briefing. WHO is reviewing its global risk assessment. recent developments.
The UN health agency last assessed the risk to humans from bird flu as low earlier this month.
Cambodian authorities reported the death of an 11-year-old girl from H5N1 on Thursday and began testing 12 contacts. Her father, who had shown her symptoms, also tested positive for the virus.
“The global situation of H5N1 is alarming given the spread of the virus in birds around the world and the increasing number of case reports in mammals, including humans.” and urges all countries to step up their vigilance.”
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Briand said it was not yet clear whether there was human-to-human transmission, and whether that was the main reason they focused on the Cambodian case, or whether the two cases were due to “the same environmental conditions.” , said that there was a high possibility of close contact. with infected birds and other animals.
A new strain of H5N1, clade 2.3.4.4b, emerged in 2020 and has caused record numbers of deaths among wild and domestic birds in recent months. It also infects mammals, causing global concern.
However, unlike previous outbreaks of H5N1 that have been occurring for over 20 years, this subtype does not cause serious illness in people. So far, he has reported only about six cases to WHO in people who have been in close contact with infected birds, most of them mild. Experts suggest that the virus may need to mutate in order for human infection to occur.
However, WHO said it is nevertheless stepping up its preparedness efforts and should be updated to more closely match circulating strains of H5N1 if necessary, but should the situation change, the He noted that there are 20 licensed antiviral drugs and 20 licensed pandemic vaccines.
That could take four to five months, said Richard Webby, director of the WHO Collaborative Center for Animal and Avian Influenza Ecology at St. Jude Children’s Hospital. However, some of the stockpiled vaccines will become available in the meantime.
WHO-affiliated laboratories already have two influenza virus strains closely related to the circulating H5N1 virus, which manufacturers can use to develop new shots if needed. At this week’s global meeting of influenza experts, the development of another strain more closely matched to H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b was proposed, Webby said at a briefing.
Reported by Jennifer Rigby.Edited by John Boyle, Jason Neely and Tomasz Janowski
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