Particular person contracts chook flu on West Midlands farm

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An individual within the West Midlands has contracted chook flu after “shut and extended contact with a lot of contaminated birds,” the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) has stated.

The case is certainly one of solely seven seen within the UK since 2021 and the chance to the broader public is “very low”, it added.

The particular person, who had signs, is at the moment nicely and has been admitted to a Excessive Consequence Infectious Illness (HCID) unit, as is routine in these instances.

The particular person acquired the an infection on a farm the place birds have been contaminated with the DI.2 genotype – one of many viruses recognized to be circulating in birds within the UK this season, the UKHSA stated.

That is totally different to strains circulating amongst mammals and birds within the US.

The case was picked up as a part of routine surveillance for chook flu within the UK, although everybody involved with the person and people at highest danger of publicity “have been provided antiviral remedy”, the company added.

Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at UKHSA, stated: “The danger of avian flu to most people stays very low regardless of this confirmed case.

“We’ve strong programs in place to detect instances early and take vital motion, as we all know that spillover infections from birds to people could happen.

“At present there isn’t a proof of onwards transmission from this case.

“Individuals are reminded to not contact sick or lifeless birds and it’s essential that they comply with Defra recommendation about reporting any suspected avian influenza instances.”

Human-to-human transmission of chook flu has by no means been documented in Europe or the UK, although has often occurred overseas.

Well being minister Andrew Gwynne, stated the protection of the general public is paramount.

“The danger of wider or onward transmission may be very low, nevertheless the UK stays ready and prepared to answer any present and future well being threats,” he added.

“We not too long ago added the H5 vaccine, which protects in opposition to avian influenza, to our stockpile as a part of our preparedness plans.”

UK chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, stated: “Whereas avian influenza is extremely contagious in birds, it is a very uncommon occasion and may be very particular to the circumstances on this premises.

“We took swift motion to restrict the unfold of the illness on the web site in query, all contaminated birds are being humanely culled, and cleaning and disinfection of the premises can be undertaken all to strict biosecure requirements.

“This can be a reminder that stringent biosecurity is crucial when holding animals.

“We’re seeing a rising variety of avian flu instances in birds on each business farms and in yard flocks throughout the nation.

“Implementing scrupulous biosecurity measures will assist defend the well being and welfare of your birds from the specter of avian influenza and different ailments.”

Professor Jonathan Ball, from the Liverpool College of Tropical Drugs (LSTM), stated: “Even within the uncommon instances the place folks do develop into contaminated, onward human to human transmission may be very unlikely.

“Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply we might be complacent.

“There may be all the time the chance that the virus can evolve and develop into higher tailored to unfold amongst people, so it’s essential to be vigilant, to make sure good wild fowl and poultry surveillance and when human instances do happen, to isolate the affected person to take away the chance of onward transmission.”