Virus sweeping through Europe hits UK - most common early symptoms of bird flu

15 July 2023 , 06:28

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Virus sweeping through Europe hits UK - most common early symptoms of bird flu

Two more Brits have been diagnosed with H5N1 bird flu, health chiefs have confirmed.

There have now been four confirmed cases of bird flu since March in the UK, and it can be quite difficult to spot in humans, warned the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Bird flu has reportedly been recorded in record levels across Europe, with the European Food Safety Authority warning back in December that the ongoing epidemic was the "largest ever observed in Europe".

But, British health advisors said it would react quickly if there was any detection of a bird flu epidemic in the UK.

Chest pain is one of the earliest signs of infection (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A UK Health Security Agency spokesman told the Mirror: "There have now been a total of 4 detections through this programme, which was launched in March and aims to detect possible animal to human infections in people who are exposed to infected birds.

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"As of 10 July 2023, 144 individuals from eight infected premises have been tested through enhanced surveillance of poultry workers."

Bird flu has reportedly been recorded in record levels across Europe (Fotoholica Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director at UKHSA, added: "Current evidence suggests that the avian influenza viruses we’re seeing circulating in birds around the world do not spread easily to people.

"However, we know already that the virus can spread to people following close contact with infected birds and this is why, through surveillance programmes like this one, we are monitoring people who have been exposed to learn more about these risks.

"These detections can follow contamination of the nose and throat from breathing in material from the environment, or can be due to infection. It can be difficult to distinguish these in people who have no symptoms. Following any detection, we will immediately initiate the appropriate public health response."

Bird flu symptoms in humans

Anybody that becomes infected with bird flu would likely develop symptoms very quickly, according to the NHS.

The six earliest signs of infection include:

• Diarrhoea
• Sickness
• Stomach pain
• Chest pain
• Bleeding from the nose and gums
• Conjunctivitis

As the infection progresses, patients might also develop a very high fever, achy muscles, shortness of breath, a cough, and persistent headaches.

In the worst possible cases, bird flu can lead to some severe complications, including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

That's why it's absolutely vital to get early treatment if you're infected with the virus.

The first port of call should be to dial 111 and ask for medical advice over the phone. That way, your symptoms can be checked quickly - although you should still mention if you've recently been close to any animal carcasses.

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If you keep poultry or captive birds, you should report any suspected bird flu cases as soon as possible.

It's a notifiable disease, which means if you don't report it, you're technically breaking the law.

The most common signs that a bird has the virus include a swollen head, closed or runny eyes, and unexpected death.

Matt Atherton