2024-07-02 09:52:50
Virologist Drosten warns of a brand new pandemic because of the unfold of hen flu. Different specialists additionally suspect that the an infection is widespread.
Chicken flu is raging worldwide. The virus has lengthy since unfold to different species on a big scale. In view of the unfold of H5N1 within the USA, the chief virologist at Berlin’s Charité, Christian Drosten, has described the hen flu virus as a potential set off for a coming pandemic. “There has by no means been something like this earlier than, such extraordinarily massive outbreaks in cows – all specialists are apprehensive,” mentioned Drosten.
A couple of weeks in the past, it was suspected that migratory birds may have unfold the extremely infectious virus worldwide. Since then, minks, penguins, foxes and cats have been contaminated, amongst others. Consultants are significantly involved concerning the unfold to mammals. Some are already warning that the identical errors as at first of the corona pandemic can be repeated.
Video | Drosten warns of recent pandemic
Quelle: Glomex
How is the scenario?
In March, it was confirmed for the primary time within the USA that the H5N1 pathogen of clade (variant) 2.3.4.4b had been detected in dairy cows. The case of a farm employee who examined constructive for the virus on the finish of March stays alarming. Because of this the virus has crossed the species barrier into people. It’s the second case ever to happen within the USA. Worldwide, virtually 30 infections with this variant have been reported to the World Well being Group (WHO) since 2021.
Because the information channel “CNN” reviews, citing Texas researchers, a dairy employee sought medical consideration on the finish of March after creating painful crimson, swollen, weeping eyes with burst blood vessels. Nevertheless, he had no fever and his lungs have been clear, based on the examine printed by the scientists.
However the medical doctors discovered one thing else: The affected person’s eyes have been teeming with H5N1 viruses, however the pathogen was barely detectable in his lungs. This might point out that the employee turned contaminated by way of his eyes – both by rubbing them with contaminated arms or by splashing contaminated milk – and never by way of his lungs. The viruses have apparently not but reached there.
The person was handled with antiviral medicine and recovered with none lasting issues. His shut members of the family obtained the medicine as a precaution.
Researchers have now found the historical past of the virus outbreak: The virus has been circulating in American dairy farms since not less than November 2023, which means it was not found for months. On March 25, the US Division of Agriculture formally confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus in dairy cows in Texas. Since then, not less than three dozen contaminated herds have been reported in 9 states, reviews information channel CNN. The trigger is suspected to be a so-called spillover, the virus leaping from wild birds to cows.
Amongst different issues, the US Division of Agriculture ordered that solely dairy cows with a adverse hen flu take a look at could also be transported from one US state to a different. Consultants think about this to be insufficient.
“This can be a drop within the ocean,” Mike Worobey of the College of Arizona informed Science journal. This restriction is corresponding to that of air journey throughout the Covid period, in every case “lengthy after the viruses have established themselves in a specific place.” It may merely be too late.
The an infection may already be way more widespread than beforehand thought. The virus has been detected unusually usually in milk assessments in retail shops. Though the virus doesn’t seem like lively in samples of pasteurized milk merchandise and is subsequently not pathogenic, the consumption of uncooked milk is strongly discouraged.
The brand new virus outbreak brings again darkish reminiscences. The coronavirus additionally apparently jumped by way of a number of species earlier than the primary reported deaths occurred in early 2020. At the moment, the virus was already way more widespread inside China than anticipated or reported by the authorities.
Can H5N1 set off a brand new pandemic?
The WHO had already spoken out in mid-April. Its chief scientist, Dr. Jeremy Farrar, expressed concern as a result of the hen flu virus had an “extraordinarily excessive” mortality price amongst these contaminated all over the world. It was essential whether or not transmission from individual to individual may happen.