World Health Organization (WHO) today it was recognized that the spread of the variant H5N1 belonging avian influenza virusnon-avian ra species, including mammals and People, This is alarming and this development needs to be closely monitored.

“I think this is a huge concern,” the WHO’s chief scientist told reporters. Jeremy Farrar.

There is currently no evidence that this virus is transmitted between people, a possibility that worries scientists.

On the other hand, H5N1 has been confirmed to have a very high mortality rate among people infected through close contact with infected birds, in the vast majority of cases.

WHO recently confirmed a human case of H5N1 avian influenza in Texas (USA), where the man became infected cows presumably infected, although in this case the symptoms were mild.

This was the second human infection reported in the United States and the fourth in the Americas, with the most recent previous case reported in Chile in March 2023.

At the same time, this was the first case of human infection mammal, as previous infections caused by contact with infected mammals were consistent with other avian influenza subtypes.

Another episode regarding the H5N1 variant was recorded in Antarctica, where dead infected birds were found, causing alarm among groups dedicated to conservation and environment.

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From 2003 to April 1, a total of 889 cases and 463 deaths were reported worldwide, indicating a mortality rate of 52%.

Faced with this evolution, Farrar noted that it will now be important to determine how many cases of human infection with the H5N1 virus go undetected, since this is where the greatest risk of the virus mutating occurs.

Mutations are always a concern because with one of these changes, the virus may adapt better to humans and be more easily transmitted between people.

(EFE)