Our reporter The World Health Organisation has revealed that the number of dairy herds affected by the avian influenza virus has almost tripled to 92 in 12 countries. The Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said this on Wednesday during an online media conference. He also said the number of people being monitored has more than doubled to 500, while human cases had increased from one to three.
According to Ghebreyesus, since 2003, there have been 893 reported infections of H5N1 in humans, including 11 so far in 2024, five in Cambodia, three in the U.S., and one each in Australia, China and Vietnam.
He explained that at the time, the virus had not shown signs of having acquired the ability to spread easily among humans. “That remains the case, which is why, at this time, WHO continues to assess the risk to public health as low. “In recent years, H5N1 has spread widely among wild birds, poultry, land and marine mammals on several continents,” he said.
Ghebreyesus said that the WHO recommended that anyone working with any infected animals, in any country, should have access to, and use, personal protective equipment. He added, “Follow-up, testing and care of people exposed to the virus should continue systematically. “Early medical care and support, and thorough and timely investigation of every human infection is essential to evaluate and interrupt potential onward transmission between humans.
” According to him, WHO is monitoring multiple avian flu viruse.
