Health Ministry monitoring global H5N1 cases: Bird flu alert

WITH recent global cases of avian influenza A (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, affecting not just wild birds and poultry but also cattle and humans in the US and Canada, the Health Ministry is closely monitoring the situation.

The ministry follows the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to ensure public safety.

The case fatality rate for human infections with the avian influenza virus is high, with the WHO reporting a 52 per cent mortality rate.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said while the WHO has assessed the risk to the general population as low, the ministry remains vigilant.

In response to questions sent by Newsday, a statement from the ministry on November 22 said, “As is customary with all new viruses, the ministry continues its surveillance testing to detect any potential cases and proactively protect public health.”

The statement added that the ministry is working closely with the Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Ministry to monitor animal and human health.

They are paying particular attention to any unusual clusters of illness in poultry, livestock, or people who may have been in contact with these animals.

Health officials are urging the public to stay informed and take necessary precautions.

These include avoiding contact with sick or dead animals, especially birds and poultry, and staying clear of animal droppings or materials contaminated by animals.

The ministry also advises against consuming raw or undercooked foods such as unpasteurised milk or improperly cooked meat.

Other health precautions include frequent hand washing, staying home when sick and taking general steps to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.

In response to questions about the likelihood of H5N1 being imported into the country through food, livestock, or migrating animals, the ministry acknowledged such risks are possible.

“Examples of modes of importation include via migratory birds and an infected person can travel from one place to the next therefore taking the virus across borders (although the risk of transmission from person to person is low at this time according to WHO),” the ministry said.

The ministry emphasised that, according to WHO guidelines, special traveller screening or restrictions at points of entry are not currently recommended.

However, the ministry continues its routine surveillance and testing to detect any potential cases and ensure public health protection.

The ministry assured the public that the country can test for avian influenza saying as customary with all new viruses, the ministry continues to undertake continuous surveillance testing.

The ministry explained, “The Public Health Laboratory Network, through its reference laboratories, has the capacity to identify influenza A H5 subtypes and would refer cases for further subtyping, as needed.”

There is no specific vaccine for humans to prevent H5N1 infection, as confirmed by WHO. “Candidate vaccines for H5 infection in humans have been developed for pandemic preparedness purposes,” the ministry said, referring to ongoing efforts by WHO.

There is also no mention of a vaccine for animals in the current context, although veterinary measures may be in place to manage outbreaks among livestock or poultry.

While there is no specific antiviral treatment for H5N1, the ministry said treatment is typically based on the symptoms.

Common treatments for fever, body aches, or other complications are available locally. For example, medications like paracetamol may be used to manage symptoms such as fever or body pain.

Virus transmitted by raw milk

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website says people who work with infected animals or their byproducts, like raw milk, might be at risk of getting the virus.

The virus is also found in wild birds and in some mammals, including cats.

This virus could spread from animals to people in several ways, like touching something contaminated with the virus and touching the eye, nose or mouth. People who handle sick or dead animals infected with the virus can also spread the virus.

It can also be spread by people coming into contact with liquids containing the live virus, such as raw milk from an infected cow.

The website said it also spreads when people eat, drink or inhale droplets contaminated with the virus.

Symptoms can include eye redness, mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

It added that people should avoid contact with surface water like ponds and buckets on farms with potentially infected animals that might be contaminated with animal waste or waste milk.

For people working in high-risk environments, such as farms or poultry facilities, the CDC recommends using personal protective equipment (PPE) and avoiding close contact with potentially sick animals, including birds, dairy cows, and livestock.

Workers should also avoid contact with animal waste (faeces, urine, or litter) and raw milk.

Additionally, the CDC says it is important to avoid contact with surface water, such as ponds or buckets on farms, that may be contaminated with animal waste or infected milk.

Animal-to-human transfer

Veterinarian Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh also weighed in on the importance of monitoring zoonotic diseases – diseases that can jump from animals to humans.

On November 23, he told Newsday by phone: “As we have seen with the covid19, there are viruses in the animal world that can be transmitted to humans under different circumstances. Bird flu has been around, and it is something we must be concerned about for birds and humans.”

The virus has always been a cause for concern not only as a health practitioner but also when he was a medical student.

He was confident that the Health and Agriculture ministries are actively monitoring the virus.

Several media outlets in the US and Canada have reported that on November 22, the US confirmed bird flu in a California child – the first reported case in a US minor.

The child had mild symptoms, was treated with antiviral medication and is recovering.

Two weeks ago, media outlets, including Newsweek, reported that a teenager in British Columbia, Canada, was in critical condition after contracting a suspected case of H5N1 bird flu, marking the first human case in that country. The source of his exposure was unknown.