WHO spokesperson Dr. Margaret Harris informed reporters in Geneva that the H5N1 virus causing the disease is “not circulating in humans but jumping into humans” who are exposed to poultry or dairy cattle. “We’re not seeing sustained circulation,” she emphasized.
Underlying conditions
The individual who succumbed to the disease in Louisiana was above 65 and had underlying medical conditions, as per Dr. Harris.
As per health authorities, he had come into contact with chickens and wild birds. Several individuals in the US have contracted avian influenza – commonly known as bird flu – during the current outbreak, primarily farmworkers in close contact with poultry flocks and cattle herds.
Dr. Harris stressed that WHO’s evaluation of the risk to the general populace “is still low and remains unchanged”. The primary focus is on individuals who work in animal industries since they need enhanced protection from infection.
The WHO spokesperson also mentioned that the United States is actively conducting “a lot of surveillance” in the human and animal population, “in the methods we use for farming, for our food production…all those things need to be combined because indeed it always does pose a risk”.
China respiratory virus is not new
On the other hand, a respiratory virus gaining traction in China, known as the human metapneumovirus, or hMPV, has been receiving publicity in recent weeks, but it does not pose a new or significant threat, as per Dr. Harris.
The UN health agency spokesperson mentioned that such infections are on the rise in China “as expected during winter”, with seasonal influenza being “by far the most common among them”, as stated by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
“China’s reported levels of respiratory infections are within the usual range for the winter season,” Dr. Harris explained. “Authorities report that hospital utilization is currently lower than this time last year, and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered,” she added.
Regarding hMPV, it was first identified in 2001 and “has been in the human population for a long time”, Dr. Harris clarified.
‘Very, very low’ risk
She added that it is a common virus that circulates in winter and spring and typically “causes respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold”.
Like any of the hundreds of common cold viruses known to exist, it can lead to more serious disease in patients with low immunity, particularly but not limited to newborns and the elderly.
When questioned about hMPV’s mortality rate, Dr. Harris described it as “very, very low”. It is not a pathogen that typically results in deaths in humans, except for the most vulnerable, she concluded, recommending “simple” prevention measures, such as wearing a mask, improving ventilation of closed spaces, and handwashing.
