Experts give verdict on bird flu risk to humans - 6 symptoms to look out for
Health experts have issued a warning on the risk of bird flu to humans amid fears of an outbreak spreading across Europe.
Two more Brits have been diagnosed with H5N1, bringing the total number of human infections recorded in the UK to three. Both were poultry workers who worked at two different premises in England.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) now says it is working closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency to assess the risk to human health from bird flu.
Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director at UKHSA, said: "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.
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The disease is usually picked up through close contact with an infected bird (Sina Schuldt/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)"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."
Meanwhile, health chiefs at the World Health Organization (WHO) said they were monitoring "signals of any change" in the virus which could pose a danger to humans.
Dr Sylvie Briand, Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, said: "With the information available so far, the virus does not appear to be able to transmit from one person to another easily, but vigilance is needed to identify any evolution in the virus that can change that.
“WHO is working closely with FAO and WOAH, and laboratory networks to monitor the evolution of these viruses, looking for signals of any change that could be more dangerous to humans.
"We encourage all countries to increase their ability to monitor these viruses and to detect any human cases. This is especially important as the virus is now affecting countries with limited prior experience in avian flu surveillance."
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.
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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.
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.
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